The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set to stage a demonstration in Sunyani on Wednesday, April 22, in protest against what it describes as the unwarranted arrest of its members.
The party’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, confirmed the planned protest during an interview on Eyewitness News, noting that the action is being spearheaded by the Sunyani East Constituency.
Dubbed the “Yen Suro Ahunahuna Demo,” the protest is aimed at pushing back against what the party says is a growing pattern of intimidation and suppression of free expression.
“We are not afraid of these actions or the criminalisation of free speech. We believe that democracy is under attack,” he stated.
Trigger for protest
The demonstration follows the arrest of the Sunyani East Communications Officer, Abubakar Yakubu, popularly known as Baba Amando.
He was picked up over allegations of offensive conduct, false publication, and the circulation of statements deemed likely to incite fear and panic.
He has since been granted bail in the sum of GH¢30,000 with two sureties and released pending further investigations.
Concerns over democracy
According to the NPP, the circumstances surrounding the arrest raise serious concerns about freedom of expression and the broader state of Ghana’s democracy.
The party insists the protest will serve as a platform to resist what it describes as harassment of its members and to draw national attention to the issue.
The planned demonstration adds to ongoing political tensions, with the NPP warning that continued arrests of its members could undermine democratic principles if not addressed.
