Hundreds of demonstrators, clad in red and black, marched through the principal streets of Accra yesterday to protest what they described as growing threats to Ghana’s constitutional democracy, judicial independence and the rule of law under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama.
The demonstration, organised under the theme “Democracy Under Attack,” brought together members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), a coalition of political parties, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other concerned citizens.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Equal Justice,” “Hands Off Our Democracy,” “We Will Not Be Silenced,” “No More Harassment, No More Persecution,” “Stop the Abuse of Power,” and “Democracy Is Not a Crime,” the protesters accused the government of selective justice, political intimidation and undermining key democratic institutions. Others questioned rising fuel prices, alleged double standards in the administration of justice and the handling of illegal mining (galamsey).
The demonstrators later converged on Jubilee House, where Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, formally presented a petition on behalf of the NPP, allied political parties, civil society organisations and the protesters. A similar petition was also submitted to the Supreme Court.
In the petition, the opposition claimed that Ghana’s longstanding reputation as a beacon of constitutional democracy, political stability and the rule of law was being undermined under the Mahama administration. The petitioners alleged that state institutions were increasingly being weaponised against political opponents through arbitrary arrests, intimidation and selective prosecution.
The petition further expressed concern over what it described as interference with judicial independence, alleging that recent developments within the judiciary had created an atmosphere of fear among judges and threatened due process. It also criticised what it termed punitive bail conditions, dawn raids on the homes of former government officials and the increasing use of state security agencies against opposition figures.
The opposition also accused the government of using criminal law to suppress free expression, arguing that journalists, media commentators, social media activists and opposition communicators were increasingly being investigated or prosecuted for expressing political opinions. According to the petition, such actions risk undermining press freedom and democratic participation.
On the issue of illegal mining, the petitioners alleged that while opposition members were being aggressively prosecuted, allegations against some officials and members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) had not received the same level of investigative attention. They argued that justice must be applied equally, regardless of political affiliation.
The petition also raised concerns over the government’s proposed reintroduction of the tribunal system, urging that any judicial reforms strictly uphold constitutional safeguards, due process and judicial independence. It further alleged that recent developments pointed to an attempt to weaken democratic checks and balances, claims for which the government has not publicly responded.
Among their demands, the petitioners called on President Mahama to immediately end what they described as politically motivated arrests, intimidation and surveillance of opposition members, journalists and activists; ensure equal enforcement of the law; uphold constitutional bail provisions; protect judicial independence; and cease the use of criminal processes to restrict free expression. They warned that failure to address these concerns would compel them to continue exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the government was Nana Yaa Jantuah, a presidential staffer at the Jubilee House, who accepted the document presented by Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin for onward transmission to President John Dramani Mahama.
The Mahama administration had not issued an official response to the allegations contained in the petition at the time this report went to press.
