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