[ 2014-07-24 ]

Haruna assures hostile demonstrators of a reinvigorated economy
Minister for Employment and Labour Relations
Haruna Iddrisu had to scream to an impatient,
angry and hostile demonstrators while assuring
them of a better Ghana sooner than later.

"You have to break an egg in order to eat an
omelet," the minister said in a strained voice but
the demonstrators hardly listened.

They were cursing, chanting, hooting and singing
away their hardships caused by what they said was
government's harsh economic policies.

The minister's address was to crown hours of
protests by the workers who decorated the
principal streets of Accra with red, and
brandished many placards which were less
complimentary to government.



"Somalia's shilling is now stronger than Ghana'
cedi"; "John Mahama, Judgement Debt man"; "When
stealing becomes the norm, rebellion becomes a
duty"; "When the poor run out of food they will
eat the politician;" some of the placards read.

The demonstration started rather slow at the Obra
Spot in Accra around 8:30 am with a few thousands
of protesters singing. Others joined later. Those
who did not join, solidarized with the
demonstrators, singing, waving their red clothes
from their offices or in their cars.

The police were fully armed in their gears but
were a lot friendlier and even more professional.



It was nearly incident-free but something had to
happen, even if it was not chaotic. The police led
a section of the demonstration to the Hearts Park
to be addressed by the leader of the Trades Union
Congress, Kofi Asamoah but the demonstrators
insisted the Hearts Park was too small to
accommodate the huge number of protesters.

They wanted the Independence Square but the Police
will not budge- the Hearts Park was cool, the
police signaled. Even if the police did not
explain the reason for threatening to confine the
demonstrators to the Hearts Park, it was not
farfetched- a wall away from the Independence
Square was President John Mahama at the Asomdwee
Park who led a few government officials and other
well wishers to commemorate the second anniversary
of the passing of the late President John Mills.

It was not a smart security thing to do allowing
angry picketers grumbling and howling over harsh
economic conditions to come anywhere close to the
man whom they blame for their woes; the man who
for hours had been slandered in words, gestures
and in deeds.



The police formed a human shield right in the
middle of the road in front of National Lotteries
preventing the demonstrators from moving any
further.

The pressure began to mount. The demonstrators
were getting impatient. The police tried to talk
to the leaders to remain where they were but their
minds had been made up. Occupy Independence Square
was their call and nobody will stand in their
way.

The police had to give in. It was a wisest thing
to do. The pressure from thousands of angry
demonstrators was far more than a few police hands
held together could take. There was a possibility
of a stampede. The police had to think fast, act
fast. Even if they were forced by the
circumstance, the police gave way and
demonstrators run through the human barricade in
jollity, chanting, as if a new independence had
been won; as if their demands for better economic
conditions had been granted.

But no it was still the same. It was just a
feeling of momentary victory against a force they
suspected represented the voice of an oppressor.
In glee they ran and headed towards the
Independence Square for a final showdown.

Kofi Asamoah, the Secretary General and convener
of the historic demonstration was cheered and
buoyed by his men at the Independence Square;
media men women buzzed around him with
outstretched recorders, cameras battling for a
shot, a word and an exclusive. It was hard to find
but it was worth the try.

He had to address the crowd but there was no PA
system. His voice had been lost. He had been
talking all week to the government, defending why
it was necessary for workers to be on the street;
telling the media what form the demonstration
would take and to the workers why they had to be
on the streets.

They were now on the streets; government waited
for the petition. It was the only and yet most
important role he had to play in this
demonstration. It was also the most difficult task
to perform.

The demonstrators hailed and praised their
Secretary-General who chronicled a litany of
aberrations by government. He sang their songs of
pain but they cheered. He was their hero and
Haruna Iddrisu a villain.

Haruna stood unassuming, seemingly overwhelmed,
shoulder-to-shoulder with Asamoah, listening. His
heart was resting with the demonstrators but his
mind had to run fast in search of the right words
and the right sentences to use.

He had to support government and appease the
demonstrators at the same time. It was a difficult
thing to do. He tried. Even if the demonstrators
refused to listen, his job was done but only for
the day.

The real job of government to deliver the people
from the shackles of poverty has only began.

The workers say Thursday's demo was only the
beginning. They will be back on the streets if
government fails to address their grievances.

Source - MyjoyOnline

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