Lawyer and Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has cautioned that Ghana's democracy can gradually deteriorate when laws are applied in ways that exceed the intentions of their framers.

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, August 8, during discussions on the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Democracy Under Attack demonstration, Mr Bentil said attacks on democratic systems do not necessarily occur suddenly but can develop gradually through the misuse of democratic institutions and laws.

He explained that democratic freedoms must be actively protected by citizens, particularly when they believe those freedoms are being threatened.

"When you talk about an attack on democracy, it never ever in the history of mankind happens suddenly. It creeps on you as a nation," he said.

Mr Bentil cited historical examples of leaders who rose to power through democratic processes but later used laws and state institutions to weaken constitutional governance.

He referenced Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, arguing that their experiences demonstrate how democratic principles and legal mechanisms can potentially be manipulated to undermine democracy itself.

According to him, Ghana must therefore remain vigilant against practices that could gradually weaken constitutional freedoms.

"We have had cause also to say, hey, the way you are applying these laws is an extension beyond which the framers of the law intended. And when you start that creep, it does not stop," he stated.

Mr Bentil also defended the role of protesters and activists in sustaining democracy, saying citizens who take to the streets to challenge leadership should be respected even when others disagree with their demands.

"It is the activists you saw on the road who push the boundaries of freedom and democracy and make your liberty assured," he said.

He argued that criticism of protesters based on their past actions should not be used to deny them their democratic rights.

"Even if we are wrong, even if we did something yesterday that people found to be immoral or whatever it is, it does not stop us. We don't lose the right to say the things we are saying," he added.

Mr Bentil stressed that political leaders are accountable to citizens and should not regard themselves as rulers over the people.

"We are not your subjects. You lead on our behalf," he said, urging citizens to periodically remind leaders that political authority ultimately belongs to the people.

While acknowledging that Ghana remains a free country and that the situation may not yet amount to a full-scale democratic crisis, Mr Bentil said recent concerns over the application of laws and alleged selective justice should not be dismissed.

He maintained that democracy requires constant vigilance because freedoms can be lost incrementally if citizens fail to challenge actions that threaten constitutional rights.