The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has defended its decision to hold the “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration on the same day as the national memorial service for the eight victims of the August 6, 2025 helicopter crash, saying the date was determined by the party’s internal calendar before the government announced the commemoration.
National Youth Organiser Salam Mustapha said the party had no intention of disrespecting the memory of the deceased, stressing that the demonstration was organised independently of the government’s programme.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Thursday, August 6, Mr Mustapha said the NPP had considered its own schedule of activities, including ongoing constituency elections and upcoming regional elections, when selecting the date for the protest.
“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,” he explained.
His comments come after criticism from some Ghanaians who argued that staging a political demonstration on the day of the memorial service was insensitive, as state officials, religious leaders and families of the victims gathered at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) to honour those who lost their lives.
Mr Mustapha rejected suggestions that the protest undermined the significance of the memorial, insisting that the party holds the victims in high regard.
“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,” he said.
The NPP organised the demonstration in Accra to protest what it described as selective justice, political persecution and the abuse of state institutions under the current administration.
Mr Mustapha further argued that the issues raised during the protest were consistent with the democratic values that many of the deceased public officials upheld.
“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; and former NDC parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye.
Also killed were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah of the Ghana Armed Forces.
