The New Patriotic Party, joined by allied political parties and Civil Society Organizations, on Thursday marched to the Office of the President to present a petition accusing the government of eroding constitutional democracy and weaponizing state institutions against opponents.
The demonstration, themed “Democracy Under Attack Demo,” was held on August 6, 2026. Petitioners later submitted the document to the President, with copies sent to the Chief Justice, Speaker of Parliament, CHRAJ, Ghana Bar Association, National Peace Council and the media.
“Systemic Breakdown of Checks and Balances”
In the petition, the NPP said Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of democracy is being “aggressively dismantled” under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
“What we are currently witnessing is not ordinary governance, but a systemic breakdown of constitutional checks and balances, the normalization of executive lawlessness, and the weaponization of state instruments to crush political opposition,” the group stated.
They are demanding an immediate halt to what they describe as a governance trajectory that threatens fundamental human rights and constitutional liberties.
7 Key Allegations
The petition outlined seven main grounds:
1. Judicial Independence: The NPP cited the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo and alleged an “atmosphere of pervasive fear” on the bench. It also criticized directives it says threaten lawyers’ statutory vacations and right to counsel under Article 19.
2. “Political Prisoners”: The party referenced the conviction of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, calling him a “POLITICAL PRISONER.” It alleged the conviction was based on “inferences” despite evidence of lawful acquisition of a mining concession, and accused government of shielding its own members linked to illegal mining.
3. Free Speech: The petitioners said the administration has “reintroduced criminal libel through the backdoor” by using Sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act. They claim more than 45 journalists, commentators and activists have faced arrests or prosecutions for political speech.
4. Selective Justice: The NPP accused police of inaction over alleged assaults and death threats against Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and others during the September 3, 2025 Akwatia by-election. It also questioned the Attorney-General’s use of nolle prosequi in corruption cases involving NDC members.
5. Bail and Raids: The group condemned “Rambo-style” dawn raids by National Security, NIB, EOCO and Police, and alleged breaches of Article 14 on the 48-hour court appearance rule. It said prosecutors are requesting “onerous” bail conditions to keep opposition figures in custody.
6. Tribunals: The petition expressed concern over the “reintroduction of the tribunal system,” saying it appears aimed at harassing NPP members.
7. “Third-Term Agenda”: The NPP alleged the actions form part of a “calculated political strategy” to eliminate opposition and pave the way for a veiled third-term bid by President Mahama, despite Article 66 term limits.
5 Explicit Demands
The petitioners made five demands:
1. Immediate stop to politically motivated arrests, raids and surveillance
2. End to criminal prosecutions for speech, leaving defamation to civil courts
3. Equal enforcement of the law, including investigation of petitions against NDC officials named in the petition over alleged galamsey and violence
4. Strict compliance with constitutional bail standards under Article 14 and Act 30
5. Reaffirmation of judicial independence and respect for lawyers’ rights
Government Yet to Respond
The petition concluded: “If your administration fails to address these demands promptly, the New Patriotic Party, allied political parties, Civil Society Organizations, and the citizens of Ghana will continue to exercise our constitutional rights through sustained, nationwide lawful resistance.”
