The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is expected to stage its “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration today, Thursday, August 6, in what the party says is a call to defend the rule of law, constitutional governance and democratic accountability.
The demonstration forms part of the NPP’s campaign against what it describes as growing acts of political persecution, selective justice and the abuse of state institutions under the current administration.
According to the party, the protest is intended to draw public attention to a number of issues it believes threaten Ghana’s democratic credentials.
Among the key concerns is the acquittal and discharge of former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, a development the NPP argues raises serious questions about the consistency and impartiality of the country’s justice system.
The party is also protesting what it has described as the arbitrary arrest, detention and alleged harassment of several of its members by state investigative and security agencies.
The party contends that these actions are politically motivated and designed to intimidate members of the opposition.
Thousands of party supporters, sympathisers and executives from across the country are expected to participate in the demonstration, which will begin at the forecourt of the Supreme Court in Accra.
The first phase of the protest will see party leaders present a petition to the leadership of the Supreme Court, outlining their concerns over recent judicial decisions and calling for what they describe as greater protection of judicial independence and the rule of law.
After presenting the petition, the demonstrators will embark on a peaceful march through some principal streets of the capital before proceeding to the Jubilee House.
At the Presidency, the leadership of the NPP is expected to submit a second petition, urging President John Dramani Mahama to address what the party describes as increasing attacks on democratic institutions and to ensure that state agencies operate fairly, independently and without political interference.
The NPP has maintained that the demonstration is not only about the concerns of its members but also about safeguarding Ghana’s democratic principles and protecting the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.
Security agencies are expected to deploy personnel along the protest route to ensure law and order, manage vehicular traffic and provide security for both demonstrators and the general public throughout the exercise.
