The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has presented a petition to the Supreme Court and the presidency, accusing the Mahama administration of undermining Ghana’s democracy through what it describes as arbitrary arrests, intimidation of political opponents and selective justice.
The party first marched to the Supreme Court, where it presented a petition expressing concerns about what it described as growing threats to judicial independence and the rule of law.
It subsequently proceeded to the Jubilee House to deliver a second petition to the presidency.
The petition was presented at Jubilee House by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin at the end of the party’s ‘Democracy Under Attack’ demonstration.
The presentation was initially delayed after the NPP objected to the level of government representation at the ceremony. Party leaders argued that it was disrespectful for the presidency to nominate only Presidential Staffer, Nana Yaa Jantuah, to receive the petition, despite the presence of senior NPP officials, including the Minority Leader, the party’s General Secretary and the Chief of Staff to the party’s flagbearer.
“We have selected our democracy. Without prejudice to your person, to nominate only you to come amounts to disrespecting us as a political party,” Afenyo-Markin told Nana Yaa Jantuah.
He, however, said the party would proceed with the presentation in the interest of democracy, with the NPP’s Deputy National Youth Organiser presenting the petition on behalf of the party.
In his remarks, Mr Afenyo-Markin urged the government to remember that no political party remains in power indefinitely and warned against using state institutions to target political opponents.
He accused the government of abandoning its campaign promises on job creation, the 24-hour economy, electricity tariffs and cocoa prices while focusing instead on intimidating critics.
He questioned the imprisonment of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, arguing that the circumstances of his conviction raise concerns.
The Minority Leader also criticised the removal of the former Chief Justice, alleging that it formed part of an attempt to influence the judiciary. He further accused the government of directing judicial processes during the courts’ vacation period to hear cases involving NPP members.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also criticised the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), alleging that the agency imposes excessive bail conditions on opposition figures by demanding properties worth millions of cedis before granting bail.
He cautioned the government against assuming it would remain in power permanently, saying the NPP could return to office after the 2028 general election.
Referring to what he said was an IMF report indicating losses of GH¢9.6 billion in GoldBod transactions, he argued that allegations of financial impropriety against public institutions should remind the government that it could also face scrutiny in the future.
“We are saying democracy is under attack, and let us all take steps as players in the governance structure to correct it and make Ghana a better place,” he said.
Nana Yaa Jantuah received the petition on behalf of the government.
