Images showing various moments during the demonstrations
Hundreds of supporters of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) yesterday marched to the Jubilee House and, after a brief standoff over protocol, presented a petition to President John Dramani Mahama under protest, accusing the government of undermining democracy, abusing state power and selectively administering justice.
The protest, dubbed “Democracy Under Attack”, saw party supporters dressed in red and black march through the principal streets of Accra, chanting party songs and carrying placards with messages, including “Two judges, two sets of laws in Ghana”, “Stop the abuse of power”, “Courts are for justice, not political revenge”, and “Stop criminalising free speech.”
The presentation of the petition was briefly delayed after NPP leaders objected to the government’s decision to assign a Presidential Staffer, Nana Yaa Jantuah, to receive it on behalf of President Mahama.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, insisted that a petition presented by senior officials of the largest opposition party, including himself and the party’s General Secretary, deserved to be received by a senior government official.
Describing the arrangement as disrespectful, Mr. Afenyo-Markin initially declined to present the petition but later agreed in the interest of democracy. He subsequently designated the party’s Deputy National Youth Organiser, Sandra Sarkodie-Addo, to hand over the document to Nana Yaa Jantuah.
Presenting the petition, Mr. Afenyo-Markin cautioned the government against using state institutions to persecute political opponents, stressing that political power is temporary.
“We are saying democracy is under attack, and let us all take steps as players in the governance structure to correct it and make Ghana a better place,” he stated.
He added that assigning only Nana Yaa Jantuah to receive the petition amounted to disrespect for the NPP.
“Without prejudice to your person, to nominate only you to come amounts to disrespecting us as a political party,” he remarked.
The protest march drew several prominent figures within the NPP, including the General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong; the Deputy General Secretary, Haruna Mohammed; former National Chairman, Freddie Blay; National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye; former Works and Housing Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; former Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei Asare; former Abuakwa South MP, Samuel Atta Akyea; former National Lottery Authority Chief Executive and MP for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku; former Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye; and Weija-Gbawe MP and Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib.
Before arriving at the Jubilee House, the demonstrators had presented separate petitions to the Supreme Court and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), raising concerns over what they described as growing threats to judicial independence and the rule of law.
Responding on behalf of the Presidency, Nana Yaa Jantuah explained that senior government officials were unavailable because they were participating in activities marking the first anniversary of the military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of several government officials and security personnel. She also urged all political actors to operate within the country’s laws.
Addressing supporters after the petition was presented, Mr. Afenyo-Markin accused the Mahama administration of abandoning major campaign promises, including the proposed 24-Hour Economy, job creation initiatives and the “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” programme.
Instead, he alleged, the government had shifted its focus to pursuing members of the opposition through weaponisation of state institutions.
He cited the imprisonment of the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as an example of what he described as political persecution and questioned the circumstances surrounding the case.
The Minority Leader further accused EOCO of imposing excessive bail conditions on opposition figures by demanding properties worth millions of cedis before granting bail.
In the petition, the NPP demanded that the Attorney General publish a comprehensive account of all criminal cases involving persons affiliated with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) that had been discontinued, withdrawn or otherwise terminated since January 2025, together with the reasons for those decisions.
According to the party, such disclosure is necessary to promote transparency, accountability and fairness in the administration of justice.
“Without a doubt, our democracy is under siege. The 1992 Constitution, for which so many sacrificed, is being hollowed out before our very eyes, and all well-meaning Ghanaians, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity or creed, must rise to defend it,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin declared.
He thanked party supporters for their massive turnout and conveyed appreciation from the NPP’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the National Council, saying the demonstration had shown that the party remained united and capable of mobilising despite being in opposition.
He urged members to remain united and work towards recapturing political power in the 2028 general election.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah