NPP Leads Thousands in 'Democracy Under Attack' Protest Against Alleged Selective Justice and Political Persecution

Thousands of supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and civil society activists took to the streets of Accra on August 6, 2025, for a massive demonstration titled 'Democracy Under Attack.' Led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and high-ranking party officials, the protesters marched from the Supreme Court to the Jubilee House to voice their concerns over what they describe as the erosion of constitutional governance under President John Mahama’s administration. The demonstration culminated in the submission of petitions to both the judiciary and the presidency, calling for an end to alleged political persecution, arbitrary arrests, and the weaponization of state institutions against opposition members and dissenting voices.

At the heart of the protest are allegations of 'selective justice' and judicial interference. The NPP leadership highlighted several controversial legal developments, including the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo and the acquittal of former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, which they contrast with the 20-year sentence handed to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Chairman Wontumi. Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin vowed that the party would reinstate Torkornoo should they regain power in 2028, characterizing her removal as a blow to judicial independence. Party communicators, including Dennis 'Miracles' Aboagye, further alleged that a 'culture of fear' is being cultivated, citing the intimidation of journalists and the freezing of bank accounts of political opponents by agencies like the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

Tensions flared at the Jubilee House when the government dispatched Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Akyenpim Jantuah to receive the party's petition. NPP leaders, including National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), condemned the move as disrespectful, arguing that the high-profile nature of the protest deserved a reception by a more senior official. Jantuah defended her status as a senior official and assured the demonstrators that their concerns would reach President Mahama. Meanwhile, the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) dismissed the protest as a 'hypocritical' exercise. NDC officials, including Rashid Tanko-Computer and Mustapha Gbande, criticized the NPP for holding the rally on the same day the nation was memorializing victims of a tragic military helicopter crash, labeling the timing as insensitive to Ghanaian cultural values.

Despite the friction over timing and reception, the NPP lauded the event as a peaceful and disciplined exercise of democratic rights. Organisers such as Sammi Awuku and Salam Mustapha emphasized that the massive turnout signals a renewed unity within the party and marks the beginning of their 'journey back to power' following their 2024 electoral defeat. Moving forward, the NPP has urged the Mahama administration to shift away from retaliatory 'you do me, I do you' politics and focus on national development. The party maintains that it will continue to use lawful means to defend the rights of its members and protect the integrity of Ghana’s democratic institutions.