Senior lawyer and Vice-President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has urged Ghanaians to respect citizens who take to the streets to demonstrate, even when they disagree with their political views or demands.
Mr Bentil said protesters and activists play an important role in protecting democratic freedoms by challenging authority and pushing the boundaries of civic liberties.
“When you see people demonstrating, whether you agree with them or not, first have the respect for the fact that they put themselves on the line to push the boundaries of our democracy,” he said.
His comments followed the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration in Accra, which saw thousands of party supporters and leaders take to the streets to protest what the party described as threats to Ghana’s democratic institutions under the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The demonstration ended with the presentation of a petition at the forecourt of Jubilee House, after the NPP had earlier submitted a separate petition to the Supreme Court.
Mr Bentil stressed that disagreement with the message of a protest should not lead to disrespect for those participating.
“You may not agree with them, but respect their activism,” he said.
He argued that activists help protect democracy by challenging those in authority and resisting attempts to restrict citizens’ freedoms.
“It is the activist you saw on the road who pushed the boundaries of freedom and democracy and make your liberty assured,” he stated.
Mr Bentil also warned that threats to democracy do not always happen suddenly, but can develop gradually.
“When you talk about an attack on democracy, never in the history of mankind happens suddenly. It creeps on you as a nation,” he cautioned.
He cited historical examples involving Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini to argue that democratic systems can be weakened from within through the use of laws and state institutions.
“And everywhere people had been oppressed, it starts slowly,” he added.
Mr Bentil further claimed that he was assaulted by police officers while attempting to get close to the Jubilee House gate during the NPP demonstration.
“This is an improvement because I was beaten up. I had been attacked by policemen trying to get close to Jubilee House gate,” he said.
He also raised concerns about what he described as selectivity in the administration of justice, questioning why some individuals appear to receive different treatment.
“So I think as a matter of fact there is some selectivity in justice,” he said.
Mr Bentil urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and defend democratic freedoms regardless of the political identity of those exercising them.
“You may not agree with them, but respect their activism,” he reiterated.
