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The "high cost of living" demo
Accra, Dec. 12, Ghanadot - Thousands of people marched
through the streets of Accra at the urging of the Committee
for Joint Action (CJA), to protest against what they claimed
was "a rise in the cost of living."
The demonstrators were clad in the usual attire of all
demonstrations; red shirts, red headgears and red arm bands,
as they marched and sang from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle
through Farisco to the Hearts Park for a rally.
It was obvious that the majority of these demonstrators had a political axe
to grind. Many of the leaders were from the leading
opposition party, the NDC.
The placards they carried said
it all: "NPP, Bye, Bye" "Arise Ghana," "Yewuo" and
"Don't impose Chiefs on Us."
NPP is the party in government
and the NDC hopes to defeat it in the coming 2008 elections.
The arguments used by the
demonstrators in citing hardship were instances of "rising utility
tariffs and fuel prices." Not once was it remembered by any
of the speakers at the demo
that the 80s, when the parent party of the NDC was in
government, were the worse times in Ghana's history.
And also oblivious to the
marchers' arguments was the fact that the economies of the
world were being crushed by rise in oil prices.
Ironically, Ghana, as an oil
producing nation, also benefits from these rises.
To the credit of the government,
the demonstrators went about their business without any
molestation from the police. Such was the conduct of
the security forces that the demonstration did not cause any
disruption to normal life in the city.
Surprisingly, the Ghana Police
Service had warned that some individuals among the
demonstrators had earlier threatened to carry arms to
defend themselves should there be and threat aimed at them
during the march.
Fortunately there was no sign of
violence and the demonstration was allowed to proceed
peacefully to conclusion.
Edward Osom, December 12, 2007
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