Political analyst Mr Samuel Boateng has described the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration, held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, as ill-timed.
According to him, the protest was insensitive because it coincided with the first anniversary of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of several Ghanaian servicemen.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr Boateng highlighted that both the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition NPP were deeply traumatised by the tragic incident when it occurred last year. He therefore questioned why the NPP chose to organise a street protest on the exact day the nation was honouring the fallen heroes.
He noted that the party’s actions sent a troubling signal that it lacked sympathy for the victims and their families, stressing that such conduct should have no place in Ghanaian politics. He added that the NPP gave the public the impression that the demonstration was driven by narrow partisan interests rather than the broader national good.
The NPP staged the massive protest in Accra to register its displeasure over what it described as growing threats to Ghana’s democratic governance and justice system. The demonstration commenced at 5:00 a.m., with hundreds of party supporters, national executives, and sympathisers gathering at the forecourt of the Supreme Court before marching through key streets in the capital. Among other grievances, the opposition accused the government of suppressing free speech and unlawfully arresting individuals for criticising state officials.
However, the party faced swift public backlash for demonstrating on a solemn day of national remembrance. In response to the criticism, the NPP justified its decision by remarking that the eight helicopter crash victims were dead and gone, and that the living had pressing issues to address.
Mr Boateng condemned that response, reiterating that it exposed a severe lack of empathy.
“Politically, the demonstration made no sense because it was a day the country was mourning the departed helicopter crash victims. They could have held the demonstration on a different day. It painted them as insensitive. That is not how politics is done. They also showed Ghanaians that their personal interests were at play,” he stated.
While acknowledging that citizens have a right to free expression, the analyst emphasised that freedom of speech comes with responsibility and that citizens must respect the law. Furthermore, he noted that if Ghana’s democracy were truly under attack as claimed, the opposition would not have enjoyed the freedom to hold a nationwide protest in the first place.
Mr Boateng urged both major political parties to use the event as a turning point to abandon the politics of insults and vilification. He advised party leaders to stop entertaining supporters who abuse opponents under the guise of political criticism, reminding them that such behaviour goes against core Ghanaian values.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
