NPP's 'Democracy Under Attack' demo a useless face-saving tactic by its failed leaders — Prof Gyampo
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has criticised the New Patriotic Party's planned "Democracy Under Attack" demonstration, describing it as a futile attempt by the party's leadership to regain public confidence.
The NPP has announced a nationwide protest scheduled on Thursday, August 6, in collaboration with other political parties and civil society organisations.
The party says the demonstration is in response to the Court of Appeal's acquittal of former MASLOC Chief Executive Officer Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, arguing that the decision undermines Ghana's democracy and the rule of law.
The party has also accused the government of applying selective justice, claiming its members have been arrested over comments while National Democratic Congress (NDC) members who allegedly made similar remarks have not been subjected to the same treatment.
As part of preparations for the protest, the NPP's National Steering Committee directed all aspiring party executives and parliamentary aspirants in the Greater Accra Region to suspend their campaign activities on August 5 and 6 and instead mobilise supporters for the demonstration.
In a statement signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong on August 4, the party said the protest would begin at 5:00 a.m. at the Supreme Court, urging members to remain peaceful, disciplined and orderly throughout the exercise.
Reacting in a social media post on Wednesday, August 5, Prof Gyampo rejected the NPP's claims, claiming that Ghana's democratic system remains strong despite the opposition party's concerns.
"Ghana's Democracy is thriving and not under siege," he wrote.
He further argued that the planned protest was aimed more at addressing the NPP's internal political challenges than any genuine threat to democratic governance.
"Any attempt at busing people to walk, under the guise of demonstration to trumpet it as being under attack, is a useless face-saving tactic by leaders who currently face legitimacy deficit in their party," Prof Gyampo stated.