The New Patriotic Party (NPP), joined by a coalition of political parties and civil society organisations, have submitted a strongly worded petition to the Office of the President accusing the administration of President John Dramani Mahama of systematically undermining Ghana’s constitutional democracy.
The petition, presented after a demonstration themed “Democracy Under Attack,” was also copied to the Chief Justice, the Speaker of Parliament, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Ghana Bar Association, the National Peace Council and the media.
The petitioners claim Ghana’s long-standing reputation as a stable democratic beacon on the African continent is being “aggressively dismantled.” They allege a breakdown of constitutional checks and balances, executive overreach, and the use of state institutions to target political opponents, suppress free expression and shield ruling-party figures from accountability.
Key allegations
The eight-page document lists seven main grounds of complaint:
- Judicial independence — The petitioners cite the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo and claim an atmosphere of fear has taken hold among judges. They also criticise administrative measures that they say interfere with lawyers’ statutory leave and the right of accused persons to counsel of their choice.
- Politically motivated prosecutions — Particular focus is placed on the conviction of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (popularly known as Chairman Wontumi). The NPP describes him as a “political prisoner” and contrasts his case with what it calls inaction against ruling-party figures allegedly linked to illegal mining (galamsey).
- Criminalisation of free speech — The petition accuses the government of reintroducing criminal libel “through the backdoor” by using Sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act against journalists, social-media commentators and opposition communicators. It states that more than 45 people have faced arrest or investigation in connection with political expression.
- Selective justice — The document points to the police’s failure to act on an NPP petition over alleged assaults and death threats against Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and other party officials during the 2025 Akwatia by-election. It also criticises the Attorney-General for entering nolle prosequi in corruption cases involving NDC members and questions the acquittal of Sedina Tamaklo.
- Weaponisation of state agencies and bail conditions — The petitioners allege “Rambo-style” dawn raids, breaches of the 48-hour detention rule under Article 14 of the Constitution, and the imposition of punitive bail conditions designed to keep opposition figures in custody.
- Reintroduction of tribunals — Concerns are raised that a planned return of the tribunal system is intended primarily to harass opposition members.
- Third-term agenda — The petition asserts that the cumulative actions form part of a calculated strategy to weaken democratic institutions and pave the way for a “veiled third-term agenda” for President Mahama, despite the two-term limit in Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution.
Explicit demands
The petitioners call for:
- An immediate end to politically motivated arrests, raids and surveillance;
- Cessation of criminal prosecutions for political speech, with defamation matters confined to civil courts;
- Arrest and prosecution of named NDC officials over alleged political violence, and investigation of galamsey allegations against several ruling-party figures;
- Strict compliance with constitutional bail standards;
- Reaffirmation of judicial independence and respect for lawyers’ statutory rights.
The petition concludes that failure to address the demands will lead the NPP, allied parties, civil society groups and citizens to continue “sustained, nationwide lawful resistance.”
