By RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW

Copyright thechronicle

The youth wing of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has staged a massive demonstration in Accra, accusing President John Dramani Mahama and his administration of weaponising state institutions, especially the security services, to suppress opposition voices and intimidate citizens.

The protest, which was named ‘Yen Suro Ahunahuna’ – meaning we are not afraid of intimidation in Akan – began at the popular Obra Spot and proceeded through the streets of the capital to the Police Headquarters and finally to the Jubilee House, the official seat of government.
Dressed in symbolic red and black attire to signify anger and resistance, the demonstrators carried placards with messages expressing their frustrations and demands.

The inscriptions on some of the placards read: “Stop the Intimidation”, “Jezebel Used False Judges, Mahama Uses Chief Unjust Justice”, “The Removal of the Chief Justice Equals the Death of Democracy”, “IGP, Stop the Selective Arrests – Justice Must Be Equal”.

Henry Nana Boakye
Addressing the media ahead of presenting a formal petition to the police, Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organiser of the NPP, condemned what he described as a dangerous and deliberate strategy by the Mahama-led administration to stifle dissent and suppress political opposition.
He lamented what he termed the increasing politicisation of state security institutions warning that such developments threaten Ghana’s democratic gains.

According to him, opposition voices are being unfairly silenced through arbitrary arrests, particularly when they express views that are critical of the government.
“This protest is against the deliberate weaponisation of state institutions, especially the security agencies, to harass members of the opposition party. Selective justice and the unjustified arrests of individuals merely for expressing views—no matter how critical—are becoming far too common.”
He called on President Mahama to take immediate action to curb the injustices and restore public confidence in state institutions.

Nana Boakye insisted that being elected president comes with the responsibility to protect all citizens, not just loyalists of the ruling party.
“What the youth wing is seeking to achieve today is to send a clear message to President Mahama: You are the President of the Republic of Ghana.

“You were elected to defend the Constitution and protect the rights of all Ghanaians. Unfortunately, the trajectory of our democracy under your leadership is alarming, it is declining.”
He further emphasised that a change in government should not give any administration the license to misuse power, adding that state institutions must operate independently and fairly, without political interference.

Sammy Awuku
Also speaking to the media during the protest was Sammy Awuku, Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, who criticized the apparent double standards in how justice is administered in the country.
“Today, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” he said, paraphrasing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“The selective application of the rule of law in Ghana is not only sickening, but dangerous to our democratic future.”
Sammy Awuku cited specific examples where members of the ruling NDC made inflammatory or threatening statements and were treated leniently, sometimes invited for casual discussions and released on bail without further consequence.

In contrast, he argued, NPP officials and supporters who make even moderately critical remarks are swiftly arrested, denied bail, and subjected to harsh legal conditions.
“You will see a Vice Chairman of the ruling party making violent threats, and he is merely called in for tea or coffee and allowed to go. Yet, an opposition regional chairman makes a comment the police find uncomfortable, and that person is immediately detained and given draconian bail conditions.

“Then you have judges making comments that suggest not all citizens are equal before the law, quoting George Orwell’s Animal Farm to justify their decisions.”
Awuku praised the NPP youth for organizing the protest, saying it was a timely and necessary stand against what he called creeping tyranny and suppression.

Bernard Okoe Boye

Former Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, also took part in the protest and urged the security agencies, particularly the police, to uphold their professional code rather than follow political directives.
He expressed disappointment over what he called the discriminatory application of the law and emphasized the importance of professionalism in public service.
“We are here to tell the police leadership that it is always better to remain professional than to take instructions from politicians. Politics will always have an expiry date, but your integrity and professionalism will live beyond any political administration.”

The protesting youth made several demands in their petition, which was presented to the police. They called for an immediate end to the politicization of law enforcement and urged the Mahama administration to uphold the principles of fairness, justice, and equal treatment under the law.
They also demanded an end to politically motivated arrests and the persecution of opposition members. Additionally, they called for the restoration of independence and professionalism within the Ghana Police Service and other state institutions.
The protesters further emphasised the need to protect freedom of speech and expression for all Ghanaians, regardless of political affiliation.

Finally, they requested public assurance from the President that all citizens will be treated equally before the law.