In a dramatic turn of events, the Ghana Police Service has filed an injunction at the High Court to prevent celebrated actress Yvonne Nelson from proceeding with her planned demonstration against erratic power supply, known locally as ‘dumsor.’
The protest, dubbed the ‘#DumsorMustStop’ vigil, is set for Saturday, May 25, 2024.
This legal maneuver comes on the heels of a request by the Accra Regional Police Command urging Nelson and her team to reconsider the venue for their protest.
The actress, whose business has been significantly impacted by the intermittent power outages, is determined to press forward, drawing parallels to a similar protest she organized in 2015.
Nelson and her organizing team had met with police officials earlier to fulfill the legal requirement of notifying them about the demonstration.
Despite this, the police objected to the proposed protest route, specifically its endpoint at Revolution Square, arguing that its proximity to Jubilee House, a high-security zone, posed a risk.
Additionally, concerns were raised about the protest’s plan to conclude at midnight.
The organizers, however, refuted the police's concerns, asserting that Revolution Square is sufficiently distant from Jubilee House and insisting that the late ending time should not pose a problem.
In response, the police invoked the Public Order Act, swiftly filing an application to halt the demonstration.
The High Court has scheduled a hearing for May 24, 2024, to deliberate on the matter.
This unfolding confrontation between Yvonne Nelson and the Ghana Police Service highlights the ongoing tension between civic activism and state security measures.
As the hearing date approaches, the nation watches closely, mindful of the broader implications for freedom of assembly and expression in Ghana.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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