The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has begun its nationwide demonstration dubbed “Democracy Under Attack,” with supporters gathering in Accra to protest what the party describes as growing threats to Ghana’s democratic governance.
The demonstration, which started at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, began at the Supreme Court and is expected to end at the Jubilee House.
Party supporters, clad in NPP colours and holding placards, have been marching through the principal streets of Accra, chanting slogans and calling for what they describe as the protection of democratic institutions, civil liberties and the rule of law.
The protest is being held under the hashtags #DemocracyUnderAttack, #SaveGhanaNow and #SayNoToStateCapture.
The NPP says the demonstration is aimed at drawing public attention to concerns over freedom of expression, the treatment of opposition voices and what it alleges are attempts to undermine key democratic institutions.
Ahead of the protest, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, spokesperson for former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and a member of the party’s communications team, said the demonstration was a response to what he described as efforts to suppress dissent.
“There is always the temptation by people in power to suppress the voices and rights of the people. But democracy has a way of correcting itself. Try as you may, you can never suppress the will of the people,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
Mr Aboagye also cited what he described as the arrest of opposition figures, detention of individuals over alleged insults, the arrest of some TikTok users and journalists, strict bail conditions, and concerns over the relationship between the Executive and the Judiciary as issues requiring public attention.
The NPP maintains that the demonstration is intended to defend civil liberties, promote democratic accountability and ensure the equal application of the law.
The government has, however, rejected claims that it is targeting political opponents, insisting that state institutions operate independently and that law enforcement agencies act in accordance with due process.
The demonstration is expected to continue through the morning, with party leaders scheduled to present a petition at the Jubilee House at the end of the march.
