I don’t feel safe because I talk; I feel that my mouth will put me into trouble — Miracles Aboagye

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, spokesperson for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, says he no longer feels safe under the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, claiming Ghana's democratic space and freedom of expression are under increasing threat.

His remarks come ahead of the NPP's "Democracy Under Attack" demonstration scheduled for Thursday, August 6. The party says the protest is intended to defend constitutional governance, the rule of law and the fundamental rights of Ghanaians.

Speaking in an interview with Joy News on Wednesday, August 5, Mr Aboagye said growing numbers of Ghanaians were becoming concerned about the state of the country's democracy and feared they could face consequences for expressing their opinions on national issues.

He said he personally feels vulnerable because of his outspoken nature and passion for public debate, insisting that citizens should not have to fear victimisation for exercising their right to free speech.

“I don’t feel safe. I won’t lie to you. I told you I have written to the Chief Justice. I personally don’t feel safe because I talk and I can’t stop talking. I love to talk, and I love to debate.

“I feel that my mouth will put me into trouble. That is what I feel, and it is not just me. So the thousands of people who are coming on the streets tomorrow, that is how most of them feel. That if we don’t have anything in Ghana, it is our free speech. It is our democracy. It is the fact that we are able to freely express ourselves without any fear of being targeted.”

Mr Aboagye said the planned demonstration is meant to highlight what the NPP considers growing concerns about the protection of democratic institutions and constitutional freedoms in the country.

He maintained that the protest would serve as a call for the preservation of Ghana's democratic values and the continued protection of citizens' right to freely express their views without fear of intimidation or persecution.