NPP Demonstration Intended to Mar One-Year Anniversary of Helicopter Crash – Solomon Owusu

The Director of Communications for the United Party, Solomon Owusu, has criticised the opposition New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) nationwide demonstration, alleging that the protest was deliberately organised to overshadow the first anniversary of a tragic incident that claimed the lives of 8 gallant men.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Thursday, 6 August, Mr Owusu argued that the NPP had “no business whatsoever” taking to the streets, insisting that the demonstration, themed “Democracy Under Attack,” was politically motivated rather than driven by genuine concerns over Ghana’s democratic governance.

His remarks come as the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) stages nationwide protests under the theme “Democracy Under Attack,” arguing that recent developments threaten Ghana’s democratic governance.

Rejecting the party’s justification for the demonstration, Mr Owusu questioned the basis of the NPP’s claims.

“They have no business whatsoever being on the street. I say it from the heart of my heart. I think they decided to do this demonstration just to mar the one-year anniversary of our departed souls. That is all they are talking about,” he said.

Mr Owusu dismissed assertions that individuals had been arrested merely for speaking their minds, arguing that the claims did not reflect the realities of the country’s democratic environment.

“What did we see? That people have been arrested for speaking? Is that the truth? Is that the case? Is that what you believe in?” he questioned.

He further pointed to demonstrations organised by the NPP while it was in government, arguing that the party had previously exercised its constitutional right to protest without interference.

According to him, the party organised major demonstrations, including Save the Judiciary and another under the slogan ‘Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna’ (“We Are Not Afraid of Intimidation”), during which its members publicly declared that they feared no one.

“They themselves told Ghanaians they were not afraid of anybody, and they embarked on demonstrations to show the whole world that they would not be intimidated,” he stated.

Mr Owusu also accused the NPP of hypocrisy over concerns about political insults and intolerance, arguing that the party has historically engaged in some of the harshest political rhetoric in Ghana.

Drawing on his experience as a former member of the NPP, he claimed the party had a long record of using derogatory language against political opponents.

“Fortunately, I have been a member of the NPP before. There has not been any political party that has insulted more than the NPP, and it started long ago,” he said.

He cited instances involving the late former President Jerry John Rawlings and John Evans Atta Mills, recalling that political figures associated with the NPP had previously used disparaging language against their opponents.

Mr Owusu specifically referred to comments made in 2002 by Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, who allegedly described Professor Mills as a “poodle” following the 2000 general election.

“As recent as 2002, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko referred to Professor Mills as a poodle. So what exactly are we discussing here?” he asked.

Addressing the NPP’s concerns over the reported arrest of 21 individuals, Mr Owusu argued that the party had overlooked similar incidents during its own tenure in office.

He referenced the 2024 Democracy Hub #OccupyJulorBiHouse protests, during which dozens of demonstrators were arrested, contending that the current criticism lacked consistency.

“So, for this reason, they have no business whatsoever being on the streets,” he said.

According to the NPP, the demonstration is intended to draw attention to issues including alleged restrictions on free expression, concerns over the treatment of opposition voices, and what it describes as threats to democratic institutions.