The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is today, Thursday, August 6, embarking on a nationwide demonstration to protest what it describes as growing threats to Ghana’s democratic governance and civil liberties.
Branded “Democracy Under Attack,” the protest is expected to commence at 6:00 a.m. at the Supreme Court before proceeding to the Jubilee House, with party supporters mobilised under the hashtags #DemocracyUnderAttack, #SaveGhanaNow and #SayNoToStateCapture.
According to the NPP, the demonstration is intended to draw national attention to concerns over freedom of expression, the treatment of opposition figures and what the party believes are increasing threats to the independence of democratic institutions.
In a Facebook post ahead of the protest, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, a member of the NPP communications team and spokesperson for former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, said the demonstration was a stand against attempts to silence dissenting voices.
He argued that while governments may seek to suppress criticism, democratic systems ultimately derive their strength from the will of the people.
“There is always the temptation by people in power to suppress the voices and rights of the people. But there is an inherent self-purge with democracy. Try as you may, you can never suppress the will of the people,” he wrote.
Mr Aboagye further alleged that the arrest of opposition members, the detention of individuals over alleged offensive remarks, the prosecution of some TikTok users and media practitioners, the use of bail conditions and concerns about the relationship between the Executive and the Judiciary collectively raise serious questions about the state of Ghana’s democracy.
He urged authorities to ensure the law is applied fairly and consistently, warning that selective justice could set a dangerous precedent regardless of which political party holds power.
“Let’s stop the selective justice now before it becomes a cycle. Power is like ice… Live and let’s live… that’s the beauty of democracy,” he stated.
The NPP maintains that the demonstration is a peaceful effort to defend constitutional freedoms, the rule of law and democratic accountability.
The government, however, has dismissed allegations of politically motivated persecution, insisting that Ghana’s security agencies and other state institutions operate independently and that all law enforcement actions are carried out in accordance with due process.
