The National Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set to stage a protest march in Accra today, against what it described as state-sponsored harassment of its members and the abuse of power by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Addressing the media last Friday, the National Youth Organiser of the party, Salam Mustapha, stated that the demonstration, dubbed ‘Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna’, meaning ‘We do not fear intimidation’, is intended to send a strong message to the ruling NDC that the NPP will not be intimidated or forced into submission despite recent attacks on its members.
He said, “The ‘Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna’ is a demonstration of our resolve that we will not be intimidated. We remain resolute.”
He stated that the demonstration will start from the Obra Spot, where the protesters will march to the Police Headquarters to present a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and proceed to the Jubilee House to deliver a final petition to President John Mahama.
The National Youth Organiser also described recent developments in the country where some members of the opposition NPP have been targeted as shameful, adding that such actions will not silence the party or its members.
Mr. Mustapha further cited the arrest and detention of the party’s Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly called ‘Abronye DC’, along with reported harassment of Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly referred to as ‘Chairman Wontumi’ and several pro-NPP social media activists.
He also accused the government of reintroducing the “culture of silence” that once stifled freedom of speech in the country.
That posture, according to the NPP, undermines the foundations of the country’s democracy and equated to an authoritarian regime.
He also mentioned that apart from thousands of youth groups that are expected, the Minority Caucus in Parliament led by its leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, as well as leaders of the party, would also participate in the protest.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah