TEMA, Ghana, 15th August: Abraham Koomson, Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), has criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for proceeding with its “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration on August 6, 2026, despite the date coinciding with a national interfaith memorial service for victims of the recent military helicopter crash.
According to Mr Koomson, the NPP should have demonstrated patriotism and respect for the fallen by rescheduling the protest to another date.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Yepe Ahunu programme on Saturday, August 15, Mr Koomson said the decision to hold the demonstration on the same day as the national remembrance service was inappropriate, particularly at a time when the country was mourning the victims of the tragic crash.
He argued that the demonstration could have been held on another day without undermining the concerns the party sought to raise.
Mr Koomson also questioned the decision by the Ghana Police Service to grant approval for the demonstration to proceed on a day designated by the government for national mourning and remembrance.
He said the Police, having been notified in advance about the planned demonstration, should have informed the organisers that the date conflicted with the national memorial service and urged them to reschedule.
“If the Police knew that August 6 had been designated for the national remembrance, they should have told the organisers to choose another date,” he argued.
The NPP, however, rejected calls to postpone the demonstration and proceeded with the protest in Accra under heavy security.
Mr Koomson further condemned what he described as the disrespect shown to Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin during the presentation of the petition.
According to him, Mr Afenyo-Markin’s reported assertion that Nana Yaa Jantuah was “nobody” to receive the petition was inappropriate and amounted to looking down on her.
He said political disagreements should not result in the denigration or humiliation of individuals assigned to represent the Presidency, stressing the need for mutual respect and civility in Ghana’s democratic discourse.
Mr Koomson urged political actors to prioritise national unity and respect for institutions, particularly during periods of national grief, regardless of their political differences.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭
