BRITAIN'S UNRELENTLESS CONTROL OF PARTS OF GHANA

Are we witnessing some form of colonization by the British on the 32^nd  Gamel Abdul Nasser Road at Osu in Accra, Ghana where the British Embassy is located opposite the Ghana Institute of Journalism? A trait of colonization is being repeated on a portion of that road.

Is this not a case of the British Embassy wanting to usurp some form of control and authority over Ghanaians, in dictating to members of the public of clearly how they must use a portion of the Gamel Abdul Nasser Road, close to the Ghana Institute of Journalism (G.I.J). On the fence wall of the Embassy a “No Photography Allowed” and “No Parking, No Stopping” signs are pasted and placed on the wall of the Embassy as well as on the banks of the road side respectively.

Such notices and warnings raises critical questions about people’s right to free movement and certain restrictions being imposed on the liberties of people with regard to their movement. 

A “No Stopping” notice sign placed on the road in front of the British Embassy Office building near State House.

How does the British Embassy Officials regard the Ghanaian? These notices obviously serve to insult the intelligence of the ordinary Ghanaian. What if incidentally a vehicle breaks down there? Because vehicles are mere man made tools which can develop a fault at any time.

 In the history of GHANA, It will be recalled that in the 1948 28^th February Cross Road Incident, three ex-service men were going to present a petition on the unfulfilled promises made to the soldiers by the British government. They were ordered to halt at the Cross – Road or Osu Castle junction by the commander of the local police, Major Imray but some of the ex – soldiers refuse to listen to his command. He collected a gun from one of the police man and fired at the unarmed ex – service men. This resulted in the instant killing of the three (3) ex – soldiers. 

A “No Photography Allowed” sign pasted on the fence wall of the British Embassy Office building in Osu Accra near State House.

 What will be the reaction of the British Embassy Officials when somebody suddenly collapses or a car breaks down where the “No Parking and No Stopping” notices are placed. Will the security officials at the British Embassy shoot or kill the car for committing an offense? Is the British Embassy Officials going to order their security officers to shoot at those who get themselves in breaking the directive and instructions like what happened to the ex-servicemen. According to the Embassy that area Is a no “No stopping and No Parking zone”. The mind of the British Officials is to prevent people from taking photographs of the British Embassy Office Building, i believe, for security reasons.

Yes, security remains an important ingredient for the development of every nation and its nationals in this day and age, particularly as terrorism has heightened the need for global security and peace. Every now and then, news of the bombing of the US Embassies in Arab States by Islamic militants continue to filter in through the international media. With the principal actors in this phenomenon being the US, the UK and the Arab States. As a result, security has being placed on high alert on the agenda of these States and in their Embassies  especially that of the US and the UK around the world.

But this however must not be misconstrued in a way that infringes on the basic rights of individuals of their ( Embassy’s) host nation.

NB: The journalist who wrote this piece took the pictures employing a lot of tact and skill due to the high security placed on alert at the Embassy.  Security has even been beefed up now at the Embassy with the installation of CCTV Cameras, things which were not initially there before composing this write - up, on the fence walls close to the main entrance of the Embassy Office Building.