NPP defends protest held on day of helicopter crash memorial
The opposition says its "Democracy Under Attack" protest was scheduled according to the party's calendar and was not intended to overshadow national events marking one year since the military helicopter crash that killed eight state officials and service personnel.
Ghana's opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has defended its decision to stage a nationwide protest on the same day the country marked the first anniversary of the military helicopter crash that killed eight senior government officials and members of the armed forces.
The party's National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, said the demonstration was scheduled according to the NPP's internal calendar and was not intended to overshadow or disrespect the national memorial.
"We have absolute respect for the memory of our gallant men who died," he said in an interview on Thursday.
"One of them was a personal friend, the Honourable Murtala."
The protest, dubbed "Democracy Under Attack", took place in Accra as government officials, religious leaders, military personnel and relatives of the victims gathered for memorial events honouring those killed in the August 6, 2025 helicopter crash.
The decision to proceed with the demonstration drew criticism from some Ghanaians, who argued that it was insensitive to hold a political protest on a day of national mourning.
Mr Mustapha rejected those claims, saying the party had not been aware of the government's programme when it fixed the date.
"We were looking at our calendar as far as our activities are concerned," he said, citing ongoing constituency elections and preparations for regional polls within the party.
The NPP said the demonstration was aimed at protesting what it describes as selective justice, political persecution and the misuse of state institutions under President John Dramani Mahama's administration.
Mr Mustapha also argued that the issues raised during the protest reflected democratic principles that the crash victims themselves believed in.
The helicopter crash claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, former Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye and three Ghana Armed Forces personnel.
The memorial events included an interfaith service and the unveiling of a cenotaph in honour of the late Defence Minister at the Ministry of Defence in Accra.