The New Patriotic Party (NPP), led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has presented separate petitions to the Supreme Court and Jubilee House, accusing the government of political persecution, selective justice and the abuse of state institutions.
The demonstration formed part of the party’s nationwide campaign dubbed “Democracy Under Attack”, which it says is aimed at drawing public attention to what it describes as growing threats to Ghana’s democratic principles under the current administration.
The NPP said the protest was intended to highlight a number of developments it believes undermine the rule of law, judicial independence and public confidence in state institutions.
Among the issues highlighted by the party are the acquittal and discharge of former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu; the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo; and the 20-year prison sentence imposed on the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The party argued that the decision raises serious concerns about the consistency and impartiality of Ghana’s justice system.
The streets of Accra were awash with the party’s colours as hundreds of supporters, clad in black and red, marched through the capital in support of the demonstration. The protest was attended by party executives, Members of Parliament, former government officials and grassroots supporters.
At Jubilee House, a brief standoff ensued after security personnel restricted members of the media from accessing the inner perimeter to cover the presentation of the petition. NPP leaders declined to proceed with the presentation, insisting that journalists should be granted access before the exercise continued.
The party also initially refused to hand over the petition after Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah arrived to receive it, maintaining that they had expected Chief of Staff Julius Debrah or President John Mahama to accept the document.
The NPP described the absence of the Chief of Staff as a sign of disrespect to the concerns being raised.
Following further discussions between the two party, they agreed to present the petition to Nana Yaa Jantuah, who assured the delegation that it would be delivered to the Presidency.
