The National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has rejected suggestions that the party's "Democracy Under Attack" demonstration was disrespectful to the memory of the eight people who died in the August 6, 2025, military helicopter crash.

He said the decision to hold the protest on the same day as the national inter-faith memorial service was based on the party's internal activities calendar and was not intended to undermine the significance of the commemoration.

Mr Mustapha explained that the NPP had already factored in its constituency and upcoming regional elections when selecting a date for the demonstration and was unaware of the government's programme at the time.

The protest took place in Accra on Thursday, August 6, with the NPP accusing the government of selective justice, political persecution and the misuse of state institutions.

Some members of the public criticised the timing of the demonstration because it coincided with a memorial service attended by government officials, religious leaders and the families of the crash victims.

Speaking on Citi FM on Thursday, August 6, Mr Mustapha maintained that the party held the victims in the highest regard and believed they would have supported the democratic ideals underpinning the protest.

"We have absolute respect for the memory of our gallant men who died. Absolute respect. One of them was a personal friend, the Honourable Murtala. Very personal.

"When we were discussing this matter, we were not in the know as to what programme the government had. So we were looking at our calendar as far as our activities are concerned.

"Knowing the repertoire of men who were involved, they would identify with the issues we demonstrated today. These were people who believed in the tenets of democracy," he said.

The helicopter crash claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah; Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed; former Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Samuel Sarpong; former NDC parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu; and Flight Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.