Former Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea, says the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration was aimed at drawing attention to what he described as growing concerns over Ghana’s democratic principles under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama.

Speaking to journalists after taking part in the protest on Thursday, August 6, Mr Atta Akyea said the demonstration was intended to remind citizens and political leaders that democracy must be protected regardless of which party is in power.

He argued that Ghanaians have a responsibility to speak out whenever they believe democratic values, including freedom of expression and respect for divergent views, are being threatened.

The former legislator maintained that freedom of expression is a key pillar of democracy and expressed concern over what he described as attempts to intimidate individuals for expressing opinions contrary to those of the government.

“The main purpose of this demonstration is to bring to the fore that democracy is under attack and if our president, who is very experienced in our politics, should turn democracy upside down, then we should stand up to it and correct it. So this is essentially what we are saying. It is very important that we practice democracy in decency.

“If somebody expresses a contrary opinion on television or even social media and then they go and fetch him, then we are coming back to square one,” he said.

Mr Atta Akyea was speaking after participating in the NPP’s “Democracy Under Attack” protest, which brought together party executives, Members of Parliament, supporters and sympathisers who marched through parts of Accra to express concerns over what they described as threats to democratic governance, the rule of law and civil liberties.