'Democracy under attack': NPP accuses Mahama government of selective justice, petitions Supreme Court and Jubilee House

Ghana's main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has formally petitioned the Supreme Court and the presidency, accusing President John Dramani Mahama's administration of arbitrary arrests, political intimidation and selective justice, in a mounting confrontation over the treatment of opposition figures in the country's courts and investigative agencies.

The "Democracy Under Attack" demonstration
The petitions were presented on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the conclusion of the NPP's nationwide "Democracy Under Attack" demonstration, which drew hundreds of party supporters onto the streets of Accra. Protesters marched first to the Supreme Court, where the party's leadership presented a petition raising concerns about judicial independence and the rule of law, before proceeding to Jubilee House to deliver a second petition directly to the presidency. The party said the protest was intended to highlight what it describes as a deliberate pattern of undermining democratic institutions and the rights of political opponents, and mobilized regional coordinators across all 16 regions ahead of the demonstration.

Friction over the handover
The petition's delivery at Jubilee House was briefly delayed after NPP officials objected to the level of government representation sent to receive it. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin argued that designating Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah to receive the petition did not reflect the seniority of the opposition delegation, which included senior party officials. The party ultimately proceeded with the handover despite the objection, framing its participation as a commitment to protecting Ghana's democratic process rather than an endorsement of the arrangement.

The specific allegations
At the rally, Afenyo-Markin told the crowd that "our justice system has become selective," alleging it was being applied unfairly against members of the opposition. He cited the imprisonment of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a central example of what he characterized as politically motivated action. He also criticized the removal of Ghana's former Chief Justice and raised concerns about the scheduling of criminal cases involving NPP members during the judiciary's legal vacation, and accused the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) of imposing excessive bail conditions on opposition figures by demanding high-value property as sureties.

Afenyo-Markin cautioned the government against assuming indefinite power, noting the NPP could return to office after the 2028 general election, and pointed to an IMF report he said indicated losses of GH¢9.6 billion in GoldBod transactions as evidence that state institutions the government currently controls could themselves face scrutiny in the future. "We are saying democracy is under attack, and let us all take steps as players in the governance structure to correct it and make Ghana a better place," he said.

The Wontumi case as flashpoint
The selective-justice allegation gained particular traction following the conviction of Chairman Wontumi on illegal mining-related charges. NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong argued at a press conference following the conviction that the government was using the prosecution for political ends, saying: "A troubling pattern is emerging in our country, a pattern where the government appears eager to pursue perceived political opponents while others who are alleged to be involved in illegal mining are not subjected to the same level of scrutiny." Kodua rejected any suggestion the conviction demonstrated government seriousness in fighting illegal mining, calling it an attempt to divert attention from broader governance failures, while maintaining the party would continue to challenge the conviction through the courts.

Government and public response
Government supporters have dismissed the protest as a political stunt, arguing the NPP is capitalizing on public discontent for electoral advantage ahead of future contests, and Ghana's Justice Minister has publicly denied the allegations of selective justice. Independent observers have called for dialogue between the two sides rather than escalation. The dispute has also played out online, with hashtags such as #NoSelectiveJustice trending among NPP supporters in the lead-up to the demonstration.

What happens next
The Supreme Court petition raises the prospect of judicial engagement with the party's constitutional concerns, though it remains to be seen whether or how the court will respond. For now, the confrontation underscores a deepening rift between Ghana's governing and opposition parties over the independence of state institutions a dispute likely to intensify as the country moves toward its next general election cycle.

Mustapha Bature Sallama.
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal investigation and Intelligence Analysis.
International Conflict Management and Peace Building.USIP
mustysallama@gmail.com
+233-555-275-880

References
Asaase Radio, "NPP petitions Supreme Court, Jubilee House over alleged arbitrary arrests, selective justice," https://asaaseradio.com/npp-petitions-supreme-court-jubilee-house-over-alleged-arbitrary-arrests-selective-justice/

The Herald Ghana, "NPP petitions Supreme Court, Jubilee House over alleged political persecution," https://theheraldghana.com/npp-petitions-supreme-court-jubilee-house-over-alleged-political-persecution/

The Ghana Report, "'Democracy Under Attack': NPP petitions Supreme Court, Jubilee House over alleged political persecution," https://theghanareport.com/news/democracy-under-attack-npp-petitions-supreme-court-jubilee-house-over-alleged-political-persecution/
abcnewsgh, "Afenyo-Markin Accuses Gov't of Selective Justice," https://abcnewsgh.com/afenyo-markin-accuses-govt-of-selective-justice/

GBC Ghana Online, "NPP accuses gov't of selective justice in fight against illegal mining," https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/news/politics/npp-accuses-govt/2026/
Ghanamma.com, "NPP Slams Government Over Alleged Selective Justice, Calls for Massive August 6 Protest," https://www.ghanamma.com/2026/08/01/npp-slams-government-over-alleged-selective-justice-calls-for-massive-august-6-protest/

Ghanaian Times, "NPP insists August 6 'Democracy Under Attack' demo will go on as planned," https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/npp-insists-august-6-democracy-under-attack-demo-will-go-on-as-planned/

Sir Richie, "NPP presents petition to Supreme Court, Jubilee House over alleged arbitrary arrests, selective justice," https://www.sirrichie.com/2026/08/npp-presents-petition-to-supreme-court-jubilee-house-over-alleged-arbitrary-arrests-selective-justice/

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