Thousands of Ghanaians, including supporters of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), members of civil society organisations and representatives of some opposition political parties, took to the streets of Accra today in a large-scale demonstration dubbed “Democracy Under Attack.”
The protesters said the march was aimed at defending democratic values, particularly freedom of expression and equal justice under the law.
The demonstration, which brought traffic in parts of the capital to a standstill, centred on allegations that the government is using state institutions to target political opponents while protecting its own allies.
Protesters argued that the issue extends beyond ongoing court cases and arrests, insisting that recent developments threaten the country’s democratic principles.
Participants accused the government of pursuing what they described as selective justice. They claimed that several corruption and financial crime cases involving former National Democratic Congress (NDC) officials had been discontinued, while investigations and prosecutions against former NPP appointees have continued under the government’s anti-corruption agenda.
The demonstrators also expressed concern over what they described as increasing intimidation of critics. According to them, journalists, political activists and ordinary citizens who have criticised government policies on social media, radio programmes and other public platforms have faced harassment and arrests.
Several speakers at the event maintained that they support accountability and the fight against corruption but argued that justice must be applied fairly, regardless of political affiliation.
They accused the government of operating a two-tier justice system that shields supporters while aggressively pursuing opponents.
Placards carried by protesters reflected these concerns with messages calling for equal treatment before the law and protection of free speech.
Others criticised what they described as the politicisation of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who joined the protest alongside senior NPP officials, reiterated claims that the current administration has been characterised by selective prosecutions and arbitrary arrests.
The organisers concluded that Ghana’s democracy rests on the principles of equal justice and freedom of expression.
They warned that any attempt to use the courts against political opponents or law enforcement agencies to silence critics undermines those democratic values and called on the government to uphold the rule of law for all citizens.
