Hundreds of Ghanaians in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, led by the Regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Ashanti Regional Parliamentary Caucus on Tuesday marched through streets of the city to protest the current state of the economy.
The demonstration, dubbed “Ya y3 den” demonstration is to register the party’s displeasure over what they describe as unbearable hardship in the region.
According to Citi News’ Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Hawa Iddrisu, “most of the demonstrators wore black and red attire, while others also carried placards with the inscription ‘Ghana abr3’, ‘Stop the suffering’, ‘Asante’s are suffering’ among others.”
She reported that most shops in the central business district had been closed down, adding that passengers at the various bus terminals had been left stranded because commercial drivers in the city had joined in the demonstration.
The demonstration, according to her, was supported by the Minority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah and other NPP big wigs.
Hawa Iddrisu also stated that security had been intensified in the city to ensure sanity. “Security is very tight here, I must say. I have seen hundreds of policemen around. Other policemen have also been stationed at some vantage points in the metropolis to guard the city.”
She noted that demonstrators will finally converge on one of the city’s park, where the NPP bigwigs will address the press.
Meanwhile the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kofi Boakye has described the protest as the most disorganised he has ever witnessed.
According to him, instead of assembling at a particular spot, scores of the demonstrators joined at various intersections across the city making it difficult for the police to maintain order.
“Prior to this demonstration, we met them and designed the rules. This morning, I went to the assembling point, and I realised that there were a lot of people there and so I started to lead them. ..after some time, we saw another group emerging from another side,” he added.
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana