Ghana's main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has staged protests over claims that the country's democracy is under attack. The party accuses the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of undermining democracy, restricting free speech and targeting political opponents.
Hundreds of NPP supporters, lawmakers and party leaders marched through the streets of the capital, Accra. As part of the demonstration, they presented petitions to the Supreme Court, Parliament and the Presidency.
One of the central grievances raised was the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. According to the protesters, her removal raised serious concerns about the state of Ghana's democratic institutions.
The opposition also accuses the authorities of using security agencies to intimidate its members. Alongside this, it says the government is limiting freedom of expression through the prosecution of social media users over content deemed offensive or false.
Demonstrators insisted the issue went beyond online commentators. 'It is not just TikTokers who are expressing their own opinions about what is happening,' one said, adding that those without a platform to speak online also deserved support.
For many who took part, the march was a defence of basic rights. 'Above all, it is to protest against the abuse of our rights to free expression. It is very fundamental,' one demonstrator said, explaining that he had joined because Ghana is a democratic country.
Speakers also warned of what they described as a growing culture of silence. They argued that whenever the government or the presidency feels uncomfortable, the person who voiced that discomfort is quickly arraigned before the court and sentenced, a trend they say threatens the very democracy they are trying to defend.