The planned demonstration by members of the Small Scale Rice Dealers Association of Ghana (SSRIDA) against the Ministry of Trade & Industry, which was expected to take place today, has been rescheduled, a statement from SSRIDA has said.

The demonstration was rescheduled following a meeting with the Police on Friday, August 29, 2014.

According to the traders, the Police told them that they could not effectively protect the demonstrators on September 2.

Yaw Korang, Coordinator, SSRIDA-GH said: “We, the National Executives of the Small Scale Rice Dealers Association, wish to inform our members nationwide that we are in consultation with the Greater Accra Regional Command on the upcoming plans to demonstrate against the Trade Ministry’s policy on inland importation of rice, which has given monopoly to foreign exporters of the commodity.”

Mr Korang said the executives would meet the Police today for the new date to be communicated to members.

He said a July 17 directive by the then Minister of Trade, Haruna Iddrisu to reopen the Sampa Border Post in the Brong Ahafo Region for members to do business has been grossly treated with contempt.

He said as law-abiding citizens, members were ready for instructions for a peaceful and successful demonstration against the policies of the Ministry.

The members were expected to converge on Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle for the protest.