Ghana’s Opposition Takes To The Streets, Warns Democracy Is “Under Attack”

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) organised demonstrations across Accra, alleging that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration is eroding democratic norms, suppressing free expression, and going after political rivals.

Marching in party colours of red and black, hundreds of NPP members, including lawmakers and senior party figures, moved through the capital and delivered petitions to the Supreme Court, Parliament, and the Presidency.

The demonstration, branded “Democracy Under Attack,” took place exactly a year after a helicopter crash claimed eight lives, among them several government officials.

According to the NPP, a string of recent events has cast doubt on the health of Ghana’s democratic institutions, among them certain court rulings, the detention of opposition figures, and the ousting of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

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Party officials singled out the acquittal of ex-MASLOC chief executive Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu as evidence of a justice system applying different standards to different people.

Her original 10-year prison sentence was thrown out by the Court of Appeal, which found that prosecutors had not adequately proven their case.

The opposition further alleged that state security forces are being used to intimidate its members, and that free speech is being curtailed through legal action against social media users accused of posting offensive or false material.

For its part, the government has dismissed these claims, maintaining its commitment to upholding the rule of law.

It insists that security agencies are simply doing their job of enforcing regulations to safeguard public order.

This is not the first time the NPP has taken this kind of action, the party has previously staged comparable protests, including ones tied to Chief Justice Torkornoo’s removal and the arrest of a regional party leader.