Big demo hits Accra over ‘poor governance’

A section of the demonstrators and the placards as they hit the streets Hundreds of Ghanaians joined members of the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), Monday morning to demonstrate against what they said are injustices and harsh living conditions under the Atta Mills administration. Clad in anything red, the demonstrators converged at the Holy Gardens at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Accra as early as 6a.m, before finally taking to the streets at about 9:30am. They carried placards with inscriptions such as: ‘If Ghana is broke, fix it’; ‘Avoid killer loans’; 'Who is ruling: Is it Atta or Rawlings?’; ‘Sakawa president’; ‘No money in our pockets’; ‘No employment for two years, Atta why?’ and ‘Atta 419”. The demonstrators were expected to go through the Farisco Traffic Lights at Adabraka, through the Trades Union Congress avenue and the Ministries before ending at the Hearts Park, opposite the Department of National Lotteries, where various speakers will address them. The leadership of the organisers, including, Daniel Marfo Ofori-Atta, Kwabena Bomfeh, Samuel Awuku, Titus Glover and John Boadu, took turns to address the teeming crowd. Speaker after speaker reaffirmed the rationale behind their action and reiterated various allegations against the government, including claims that the government was persecuting members of the opposition, particularly the NPP against vows by the president to be father of all, and also deceiving Ghanaians on promises of reducing fuel prices. Failed Promises James Kwabena Bomfeh, in an interview with Myjoyonline.com, asked all Ghanaians to demand accountability, probity and transparency from the government, and it should be without delay. He said the NDC government, about seven months in office, has failed to live up to its campaign promises and pledges as contained in the party’s manifesto, causing depreciating living conditions of Ghanaians. Mr Bomfeh said it was appalling for the president to award himself 80% in performance after his 100 days in office, even though “he has done a mediocre job”. He said the AFAG demonstration is not targeting any person in particular or the government in general, but to petition the general public to stand up against the shortfalls of the government. He explained that the political pressure group saw no need in addressing the government because “it has proven to us that it is not a listening government”. He cited among others petitions over the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, who was implicated by the Auditor General’s office for malfeasance, and yet, all these appeals have “fallen on deaf ears”. He promised more demonstrations to keep the government on its toes. Hundreds of police personnel were also deployed to keep the peace during the protest march. Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana