Document #1220789
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
1) Index on Censorship (Aug. 1992)
reports that the Movement for Freedom and Justice (MFJ) has
remained vocal in its demands for a return to multiparty democracy
in Ghana. The report adds that the MFJ, which was formed in August
1990, is comprised of groups of professional bodies and the
National Union of Students who maintain strong political views. The
MFJ reportedly continues to suffer "blatant harassement," including
the "arrest of some of its leaders and disruption of its meetings
and rallies by the police" (Ibid.). However, the report does
not indicate whether the MFJ has been legally banned by the
Ghanaian authorities, nor whether the MFJ was banned from
registration with the Interim National Electoral Commission (INEC)
in order to participate in the up-coming elections. For further
information on this subject, please refer to the attached
documents.
2) Attached please find two articles
published by West Africa ( 23 Dec. 1991-5 Jan. 1992; 3-9
June 1991) which report on MFJ leaders being detained by the
Ghanaian authorities. Information on the changes in policy
pertaining to the treatment of 'returning' MFJ members after the
drafting of the new constitution is currently unavailable to the
IRBDC in Ottawa.
"Ghana: Ready to Go", Index on
Censorship, Vol. 21, No. 8, August 1992.
Index on Censorship. "Ghana:
ready to go". Vol. 21, No. 8, August 1992.
New African. [London]. "Keeping
out the Punks." July 1992.
West Africa. 26 July 1992.
"Re-register Voters."
. 23 December-5 January 1992. "Rawlings
Orders Ndebugre's Arrest," p. 2165.
. [London]. 3-9 June 1991. "MFJ Leaders
Detained and Released," p.914.