Democracy in Progress announces October 2 march for constitutional accountability

A non-partisan civic platform, Democracy in Progress, has announced plans to hold a peaceful citizens’ demonstration in Accra on Friday, October 2, 2026, to demand what it describes as greater constitutional accountability and respect for due process.

The march, being convened by Emmanuel Mawanye Kotin, Solomon Owusu, Ebo Buckman and Andrew Appiah-Danquah, will be held under the theme, “Democracy at work: Accountability is not persecution”.

Participants are expected to assemble at Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle from 7:30 a.m. and have been encouraged to wear white, which the organisers said represents peace, constitutional order and civic responsibility.

Democracy in Progress said the demonstration was partly in response to what it considers attempts to portray investigations, prosecutions and convictions involving politically exposed persons as evidence that Ghana’s democracy is under threat.

The group referenced the recent demonstration organised by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under the theme “Democracy Under Attack”, particularly its concerns about prosecutions involving individuals who served in or were associated with the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

It also cited the conviction and imprisonment of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as part of the political debate surrounding accountability and the justice system.

Democracy in Progress said it respected the constitutional right of political parties and citizens to demonstrate and criticise government institutions, but argued that citizens who disagree with such positions should also be able to express their views peacefully.

The platform maintained that political affiliation should not prevent a person from being investigated or prosecuted where there is a lawful basis for doing so.

It further argued that former public officials should remain accountable for their conduct and the management of public resources even after leaving office.

The organisers, however, stressed that accountability must be accompanied by due process and safeguards against political persecution.

They said every accused person must be presumed innocent until proven guilty, while investigations should have proper legal and evidential foundations.

The group also called for the right to legal representation, humane treatment, lawful bail and a fair hearing to be respected, while insisting that the Judiciary must remain independent and free from political control or intimidation.

It further emphasised the right of convicted persons to appeal and called for an end to the use of prolonged investigations as a form of punishment.

“Democracy in Progress does not claim that every investigation or prosecution undertaken by the State is necessarily proper. We recognise that criminal processes can be abused and that State institutions must never be used to punish political opponents,” the statement said.

The platform said it would oppose both political persecution and political impunity, stressing that its planned demonstration should not be interpreted as an endorsement of every action taken by the current government or as a declaration that every person under investigation or prosecution was guilty.

A major focus of the march will also be the government's Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) programme.

Democracy in Progress is calling for greater transparency in the implementation of the programme, including information on matters referred to authorised investigative bodies, public assets restrained or recovered, institutions managing recovered assets and mechanisms for auditing recovered property.

The group also wants information on measures to protect whistleblowers, witnesses, investigators and journalists, as well as safeguards to ensure that ORAL is not used to shield political allies or target political opponents.

It is also demanding the establishment of a transparent public asset-recovery register, subject to lawful confidentiality and fair-trial requirements, alongside periodic public reporting on the progress of the recovery programme.

The organisers said accountability should apply to both past and present administrations, arguing that allegations involving officials of the current government should be subjected to the same level of scrutiny and independence.

As part of the demonstration, Democracy in Progress plans to present petitions to the President, the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice or Judicial Secretary.

According to the organisers, the petitions will focus on probity, accountability, due process, equality before the law and judicial independence.

The petition to the Judiciary, however, will not seek intervention in Chairman Wontumi’s appeal or any other pending case. The group said it respected the independence of the courts and recognised that individual cases must be determined through the judicial process.

Democracy in Progress said the march was not being organised as an event for the NDC, the United Party or any other political organisation.

It has invited civil society organisations, professional bodies, organised labour, faith-based organisations, students and youth groups, women’s organisations, environmental and anti-corruption groups, traditional and community leaders, persons with disabilities, market and transport associations, members of the Ghanaian diaspora and other citizens who support its call for constitutional accountability.

Political parties and their members may participate in their individual capacities, but the organisers said the demonstration would not be conducted under the colours, symbols or campaign messages of any political party.

The group said it had initiated consultations with the Ghana Police Service under the Public Order Act, 1994, Act 491, and would work with the police and other relevant institutions on issues including the route, traffic management, security, emergency access, petition handovers and orderly dispersal.

Trained and identifiable marshals are expected to assist with the organisation of the demonstration. The organisers said threatening, defamatory, tribal, religiously inflammatory or prejudicial placards and statements would not be permitted.

Weapons, offensive objects, alcohol and conduct intended to provoke violence will also be prohibited, according to the statement.

The approved route, commencement time, petition-receiving points and other operational arrangements will be announced after consultations with the Ghana Police Service and relevant public institutions.

The organisers have urged Ghanaians to join the march on October 2, saying the demonstration is intended to promote probity, accountability, due process and equal justice under Ghana’s constitutional democracy.