Sunyani East NPP stages ‘Yensuro Ahunahuna’ demo against ‘culture of silence’
Members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Sunyani East Constituency have staged a demonstration to protest what it described as a growing “culture of silence” and “state intimidation” under the current administration.
Dubbed: “Yensuro Ahunahuna Demo”, to wit, we do not fear intimidation, the protest drew scores of party supporters and sympathisers, clad in red and black and wielding placards with bold inscriptions defending free speech and democratic rights.
The demonstrators converged on the Sunyani Jubilee Park as early as 8:00 a.m., transforming the usually calm public space into a vibrant scene of chanting, drumming and political expression.
Concerns
The protesters marched through the principal streets of Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital, to draw public attention to their concerns.
They held placards with inscriptions such as “No Freedom", "No Peace", "End Oppression Now, Say no to intimidation", "Stop the Culture of silence" and “Democracy Under Attack”.
They later marched to the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to present their petition to the Regional Minister, Joseph Addai Akwaboa.
Addressing journalists after the presentation, the NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, said the protest was to draw attention to key national concerns.
He said it was to formally notify the Jubilee House, the Regional Minister and other stakeholders to desist from what he described as the "weaponisation of state institutions".
Mr Shaib alleged that institutions such as the police and other security agencies were used to intimidate citizens, calling for an end to "unwarranted arrests and breaches of fundamental human rights".
He questioned why individuals were being arrested for expressing their views on national issues.
He stated that while such arrests continued, major issues confronting the country remained unresolved, including economic challenges and the cost of living.
Unmet promises
Mr Shaib also expressed concern over unmet promises relating to job creation and support for farmers.
The MP urged government officials to exercise restraint in the use of power, stressing that authority was temporary and should be used responsibly.
Necessary action
The Deputy Coordinating Director, Prisca Nyamda, who received the petition on behalf of the Regional Minister, promised to present it to the minister for the necessary action.
She assured the demonstrators that their concerns would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for attention.
