Hundreds of supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday staged a peaceful demonstration through the principal streets of Accra, presenting separate petitions to the Supreme Court and the Presidency over what the party described as growing threats to Ghana’s democracy, the rule of law and the independence of state institutions.
The protest, organised under the theme “Democracy Under Attack,” brought together senior party executives, Members of Parliament, former government officials and grassroots supporters clad in black and red.
The demonstrators assembled at the forecourt of the Supreme Court before marching through designated routes to Jubilee House as part of a nationwide campaign aimed at drawing attention to what the opposition party says are increasing cases of political persecution, selective justice, intimidation of political opponents and abuse of state institutions.
The petitions, addressed to the Supreme Court, the Presidency and Parliament, urged the country’s constitutional institutions to safeguard democratic governance, uphold due process, protect constitutional rights and preserve public confidence in the justice system regardless of political affiliation.
The NPP said recent developments, including the acquittal and discharge of former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo and the 20-year prison sentence imposed on the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, had raised serious concerns about consistency, fairness and impartiality within Ghana’s justice system.
Standoff at Jubilee House
Although the demonstration remained peaceful throughout, proceedings at Jubilee House were briefly delayed after security officials restricted journalists from entering the inner perimeter to witness the presentation of the petition.
The NPP leadership refused to proceed with the presentation, insisting that the media should be allowed access to ensure transparency.
A second disagreement emerged when Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah arrived to receive the petition on behalf of the Presidency.
The party maintained that it had expected either President John Dramani Mahama or Chief of Staff Julius Debrah to personally receive the document and described the Chief of Staff’s absence as disrespectful to the concerns being raised.
Following discussions between both sides, the NPP eventually handed over the petition to Nana Yaa Jantuah after she assured the delegation that the document would be delivered to the Presidency.
Afenyo-Markin calls for protection of democratic freedoms
Presenting the petition to representatives of the Presidency, the Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, stressed that the demonstration was intended to defend constitutional freedoms rather than provoke confrontation.
He said freedom of expression, judicial independence and adherence to the rule of law remained fundamental pillars of Ghana’s democracy and should be protected irrespective of political differences.
Mr Afenyo-Markin noted that while political parties naturally differed in ideology and policy direction, every citizen should enjoy the freedom to express opinions without fear of intimidation, victimisation or persecution.
He emphasised that the demonstration itself reflected the NPP’s commitment to lawful democratic engagement.
“We are acting in a very peaceful manner because we are law-abiding. We use the law to protest and to express our grievances. We are not a violent party,” he said.
The Minority Leader urged state institutions to discharge their constitutional mandates independently and impartially, arguing that public confidence in the judiciary and other democratic institutions remained essential for national stability and peace.
He also appealed to Ghanaians to continue using lawful and constitutional means to seek redress whenever they felt their rights or democratic freedoms were under threat.
Protest not intended to disrespect crash victims
The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku, rejected criticism that the demonstration should have been postponed because it coincided with the National Inter-Faith Memorial Service held in honour of victims of the August 6, 2025 military helicopter crash.
Mr Awuku argued that the most meaningful tribute to the late Defence Minister, Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, the late Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and the other victims would be decisive action to eliminate illegal mining.
According to him, the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining had worsened, contrary to what the deceased leaders would have desired.
“The biggest honour this government could have given to the lives that we lost on that fateful day was to stop galamsey. Today, galamsey is worse off,” he stated.
He added that if Dr Omane Boamah were alive, he would not have supported what he described as the continued destruction of Ghana’s lands and water bodies through illegal mining.
Mr Awuku further maintained that government could best honour the memory of those who perished by intensifying efforts to combat galamsey rather than criticising the timing of the demonstration.
NPP vows to defend members
The National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Salam Mustapha, said the party would continue to defend its members against what it described as political persecution.
Speaking to journalists during the demonstration, he stressed that while the party supported the work of constitutional institutions in holding public officials accountable, it opposed what he alleged was the selective use of those institutions to intimidate members of the political opposition.
“We do not have a problem with state institutions working and calling people to account for their stewardship, but we have a problem with persecution,” he said.
“As a political entity, we will defend our members. We will not allow this Government to have its way in cowing our members into submission.”
Mr Mustapha alleged that the removal of the immediate former Chief Justice had weakened confidence in the independence of the Judiciary and created fear within the justice delivery system.
He argued that if political activists could be targeted because of their opinions, journalists and other citizens could eventually face similar treatment if constitutional safeguards were not protected.
“Strange things are happening to our democracy,” he said.
“We all have a responsibility to raise our voices because Ghana was not sold to any political party. Ghanaians voted with the expectation that food prices, fuel prices and the cost of living would come down, not for political opponents to be persecuted.”
He added that the NPP would continue to oppose what it described as tyranny, dictatorship and demagoguery through lawful democratic means.
Campaign against perceived democratic backsliding
The demonstration formed part of the NPP’s broader nationwide campaign against what it considers threats to constitutional governance, judicial independence and democratic accountability.
According to the party, the petitions submitted to the Supreme Court and the Presidency seek to encourage constitutional bodies to protect the rights of all citizens, strengthen institutional independence and preserve public confidence in Ghana’s democratic system.
Throughout the march, party leaders repeatedly maintained that the exercise was peaceful, lawful and intended to draw national attention to issues they believe require urgent constitutional and institutional response.
