NPP attacked democracy through looting, not Mahama government — Solomon Owusu

The Director of Communications for the United Party (UP), Solomon Owusu, has said he agrees with the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) claim that Ghana’s democracy is under attack, but insists the party itself is responsible for undermining the country’s democratic values.

His comments come as the NPP stages its nationwide “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration on Thursday, August 6, 2026, to protest what it describes as political persecution, selective justice and the abuse of state institutions under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama.

Speaking on TV3’s BigIssue segment of the NewDay programme on Wednesday, August 5, Mr Owusu argued that the NPP weakened the foundations of Ghana’s democracy during its time in office through alleged corruption and misuse of state resources.

“I agree with them; democracy is indeed under attack. They attacked it by looting from the State, and if you loot, it means you want to destroy the moral fibre, the idea of democracy and to that extent, I agree,” he stated.

According to the former NPP member, accountability is the cornerstone of any democratic system, stressing that citizens can only have confidence in democracy when leaders manage public resources responsibly.

“The bedrock of any democracy is accountability,” he said, adding that Ghanaians deserve leaders who serve the country without enriching themselves at the expense of the state.

Mr Owusu further claimed that the NPP’s decision to embark on the demonstration amounts to an admission that it failed to uphold democratic accountability while it was in government.

“So the New Patriotic Party acknowledges that indeed when they were in power, they did not do well and so they attacked democracy and so they must demonstrate,” he remarked.

He also suggested that the protest should be viewed as an attempt by the party to seek forgiveness from Ghanaians.

“I see this demonstration as going back to the people of this country to tell them that indeed we did not do what was expected of us. We are asking for your clemency to pardon us,” he said.

Responding to remarks by host Roland Walker that the demonstration was intended to highlight concerns over recent developments affecting Ghana’s democracy, Mr Owusu questioned the motives of the protest’s lead organiser, the NPP’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B.

He alleged that the demonstration was partly aimed at raising funds to support Mr Boakye’s campaign in the NPP’s upcoming internal elections.

“Nana who? He is looking for money to go and do his campaign. Is he not contesting for the position of Vice Chair of the party? Don’t you know that it comes with budget?” he claimed.

The NPP has maintained that its “Democracy Under Attack” protest is intended to defend constitutional governance, the rule of law and democratic accountability.

Among the issues the party says prompted the demonstration are the acquittal and discharge of former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Christine Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, as well as what it describes as the arbitrary arrest, detention and harassment of some of its members by state investigative and security agencies.

The party argues that these developments threaten Ghana’s democratic institutions and has called on the government to ensure fairness, judicial independence and the protection of constitutional rights.

Thousands of party supporters, executives and sympathisers participated in the demonstration, during which petitions were presented to the leadership of the Supreme Court and the Presidency, urging action to safeguard Ghana’s democracy.