The Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, has dismissed claims that investigations involving politicians and public officials amount to an attack on Ghana’s democracy.

He said the scrutiny of former government officials should not automatically be interpreted as political persecution, arguing that accountability remains an important part of a functioning democratic system.

His comments come after the New Patriotic Party’s “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration on August 6, 2026, during which the party raised concerns over alleged threats to democratic governance and what it described as the targeting of its members.

Mr Amoah said Ghana’s democratic institutions must be allowed to perform their duties, while citizens retain the right to question or criticise the manner in which those institutions operate.

“When you have institutions get to work, you don’t have any objection but to sometimes critique the way institutions work. But to lump everything together and say the entire democratic process is under attack, some of us would beg to differ,” he said.

He also said he was yet to see a situation in Ghana where an opposition figure was targeted simply for openly expressing political views.

“I have not in Ghana seen or come across an opposition element being just vocal and being targeted by government,” he said.

Mr Amoah further pointed to freedom of expression as evidence that Ghana’s democratic space remains open, stressing that citizens continue to have the opportunity to voice their opinions on national issues.

“Freedom of speech, which is one of the core tenets of democracy, clearly is also not being attacked as we speak. You can speak your mind,” he said.

Speaking on Channel One TV on Saturday, August 8, Mr Amoah, however, cautioned political actors against crossing the line from legitimate criticism into threats or intimidation.

He said political discourse should allow room for robust criticism while ensuring that statements made by political actors do not threaten individuals or undermine the rule of law.