“Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna”: NPP stages demonstration against alleged harassment

On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, supporters and members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) organised a major protest under the banner “Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna” (loosely translated as “We Fear No Intimidation”). The demonstration was aimed at decrying what they describe as aggressive state-sponsored harassment, selective justice, and abuse of power by security agencies under the current administration.

Protest march to Jubilee House, petition submitted

The march began at the Obra Spot in Accra, with NPP supporters, youth wing members, and party leadership converging along major routes toward Jubilee House, Ghana’s seat of government. Along the way, protesters chanted slogans such as “We voted for development, not intimidation” and carried placards calling for accountability, respect for citizens’ rights, and an end to what they described as state harassment.

At the Jubilee House, the NPP presented a petition to the Chief of Staff in the office of the Vice President, Alex Segbefia, demanding that President John Dramani Mahama and security agencies intervene to halt what the party called the systematic weaponisation of state institutions against opposition members. The petition, delivered by Henry Nana Boakye (popularly known as Nana B), the NPP’s National Organiser, accused the government of deliberately using law enforcement bodies to intimidate party figures and activists.

Context of recent arrests and accusations of selective justice

The protest followed a series of high-profile arrests of NPP figures and social media activists, which the party claims were politically motivated. Among those detained were Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) and Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC). Wontumi was reportedly held by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over alleged financial misconduct, while Abronye DC was arrested for “offensive conduct conducive to breach of peace.”

Other individuals named include social media activists such as Sir Obama Pokuase, Prince Ofori, and Yayra Abiwu, who were arrested in connection with alleged threats against the President or for spreading misinformation. The NPP contends these arrests reflect “selective justice,” targeting members of the opposition while allowing government-aligned individuals to act with impunity.

During the protest, the NPP’s youth wing also demanded an end to police intimidation, urging the Ghana Police Service to respect human rights and operate in a nonpartisan manner. Many participants vowed that intimidation tactics would not deter them from holding the government accountable.

Reactions and potential fallout

The demonstration attracted wide media attention, with videos circulating on social media showing large crowds marching, chanting, and confronting security cordons along the route. Whether the protest will result in policy changes or investigations remains uncertain.

The NPP has pledged to continue peaceful protests until its concerns about the rule of law and political freedoms are addressed.

Receiving the petition on behalf of the government, Mr Segbefia assured the protesters that authorities would probe the allegations of abuse of power raised by the NPP.