The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday staged its “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration in Accra to protest what it described as the increasing arrest of social media activists, media practitioners, and some members of the party.
According to the organisers, the demonstration was also intended to draw attention to what they alleged were partisan arrests and prosecutions by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Office of the Attorney-General.
The protest began at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, where thousands of supporters gathered before marching through the principal streets of Accra. The demonstrators first proceeded to the Supreme Court, where they presented a petition to the Judicial Service.
The procession then moved to the headquarters of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), where a second petition was submitted, before continuing to Jubilee House to present a final petition to the Presidency.
At Jubilee House, the organisers expressed disappointment that the petition was received by Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah instead of the Chief of Staff or a Cabinet Minister. They said the arrangement did not reflect the importance of their concerns.
Addressing the crowd, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin urged President John Dramani Mahama to uphold Ghana’s democratic principles and respect the rule of law.
Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah, who received the petition on behalf of the Presidency, assured the demonstrators that their concerns would be forwarded to the government for consideration.
The Minority Leader later commended party supporters for turning out in large numbers despite what he described as the short notice given for the demonstration.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu