PPP Hits Kumasi With �Yabre� Demo

Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, is expected to host the second in a series of Progressive People�s Party (PPP) led anti-corruption demonstrations on Saturday, November 23, 2013. There was poor turnout in the initial demonstration dubbed, �Ayefe Notse� held in Accra last month by the PPP anti-corruption coalition to protest against President John Dramani Mahama�s inability to fight corruption. The PPP-led coalition against corruption attributed Ghana�s failure to attain sustainable economic growth to corruption and bad governance. The Coalition believes the 22 laws on the country�s statute books against corruption would not make any meaningful impact in the fight against the canker. A statement jointly issued by William Dowokpor and Dr. T.B Kwofie, Convener for the PPP Anti-Corruption Campaign Coalition and the Ashanti Regional Convener respectively, stated that the group was ready to organize the demonstration. It said the Ashanti Regional Police Command had confirmed its readiness to provide the demonstrators with the needed security protection at a meeting with Dr. Kwofie. According to the Conveners of the Coalition, the protest would start from the Jubilee Park (Prempeh Assembly Hall) through the Labour Roundabout, Asafo Roundabout, Central Market, Kejetia Street towards the Cocoa Board to the PPP Regional Office compound, where the leadership of the coalition would address the nation through the media. The PPP is seeking the separation of powers to enhance effective checks and balance so it can operate without fear or favor. The anti-corruption coalition has specifically called for an Independent Prosecutor�s Office separate from the Ministry of Justice so that the Office would not be influenced by partisan politics. It also wants the Presidency to stop the nomination of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).