NPP Supporters Gather to Demonstrate Against Alleged Police Harassment and Perceived Abuse of Power
- Scores of NPP supporters have protested in Accra over alleged police harassment and perceived abuse of power by the Mahama-led government
- The protesters, led by Youth Organiser Salam Mustapha, marched from Obra Spot to Jubilee House to submit a petition
- The demonstration followed the arrests of NPP leaders, Chairman Wontumi and Abronye DC, by state security agencies
- Nabil Abubakar, a political analyst and a member of Action Movement for Bawumia 2028, shared his views on this in an interview with YEN.com.gh
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Scores of New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters took to the streets of Accra to protest against perceived abuse of power by the John Mahama-led administration and what they termed as police harassment.
A video circulating on social media showed the NPP supporters, sympathisers, and party executives marching from the Obra Spot in Accra through major streets.
Source: Facebook
Clad in NPP colours, the protesters, led by the National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Salam Mustapha, carried placards and banners denouncing police harassment and the purported abuse of power.
They demanded that the Mahama-led administration and the security agencies respect the rights of citizens and refrain from using excessive force or intimidation tactics.
The demonstration, dubbed ‘Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna’, which literally means "we fear no intimidation," is expected to end at the Jubilee House, Ghana's seat of government, where they will submit a petition to the president.
Watch the video below:
NPP demonstrates against Wontumi and Abronye's arrest
The demonstration comes on the back of the recent arrests of some leading members of the NPP, including the Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye DC, and the Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Chairman Wontumi was arrested and detained by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities.
Abronye DC, on the other hand, was arrested for “offensive conduct conducive to the breach of the peace.”
Watch another video below:
NPP youth demand end to persecution
Speaking to YEN.com.gh in an interview, Nabil Abubakar, a member of the Movement for Bawumia 2028, expressed deep concern about alleged police harassment and abuse of power by the Mahama-led government.
He stated that the recent arrests of party leaders, including Chairman Wontumi and Abronye DC, were a clear indication of the government's attempt to intimidate and silence them.
Abubakar added that their party's youth wing staged a protest called "Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna", a protest to send a strong message against selective application of justice and state-sponsored harassment.
He further stated that the protest aimed to demand fairness, highlight the government's misapplication of justice, and protect the fundamental rights of party members and sympathisers.
Abubakar further stated that the government was using state institutions to target opposition figures, which he said was unacceptable in a democracy.
The young politician stated that the party submitted a petition to the President and the Inspector-General of Police outlining eight key demands, including an end to political persecution and attacks on free speech.
Abubakar added that the party was determined to resist any attempt to stop them from sharing their views about the current government.
"I'm deeply concerned about the alleged police harassment and abuse of power by the Mahama-led government. The recent arrests of our leaders, including Chairman Wontumi and Abronye DC, are a clear indication of the government's attempt to intimidate and silence us. Our party's youth wing staged the 'Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna' protest, literally meaning 'we fear no intimidation,' to send a strong message that we won't tolerate this selective application of justice and state-sponsored harassment."
"We believe that the government is using state institutions to target opposition figures, and this is unacceptable in a democracy. Our protest aimed to demand fairness, highlight the government's misapplication of justice, and protect the fundamental rights of our members and sympathisers."
We won't be silenced; we'll continue to speak out against these injustices and fight for our rights. The petition we submitted to the President and the Inspector-General of Police outlined eight key demands, including an end to political persecution and attacks on free speech. We're determined to resist any attempt to stop us from sharing our views about the current government."
Ghanaians react to NPP supporters protest
Ghanaians on social media have reacted to the NPP supporters’ demonstration.
YEN.com.gh compiled a few of the reactions below:
@Lazzy Cockzy said:
"Now u people will know the difference between democracy."
@Twumasi Abonkrah also said:
"Doing keep fit to keep your body fit is not bad, after all they have been in the house for eight months, having nothing to do, so it's good."
@Tahidu Yakubu commented:
"Exercise the body to reduce the painful defeat in the 2024 general election."
@Nana Gyebi Appiah IV also commented:
"I want those holding the banner to read what is written on it to the country, perhaps, we join..."
@Adua Abagna Amdil wrote:
"Are the ones that happened in the last 8 years inclusive? We saw the worst when the NPP was in power."
Source: Facebook
NPP supporters storm police headquarters
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported that some NPP supporters gathered at the Police Headquarters in Accra in support of Daniel Adomako.
Adomako, aka Sir Obama, was arrested as part of an ongoing intelligence-led crackdown on illegal arms possession.
Two other NPP supporters, Prince Ofori and Yayra Abiwu, were arrested in relation to threats against the President.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
