The National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has dismissed claims that the party’s “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration was disrespectful to the memory of the eight people who died in the August 6, 2025 military helicopter crash.
According to him, the decision to hold the protest on the same day as the National Interfaith Memorial Service was based on the party’s internal calendar and was never intended to overshadow or diminish the significance of the national commemoration.
Mr Mustapha explained that the NPP fixed the date for the demonstration after considering its constituency and upcoming regional elections and was unaware of the government’s memorial programme when the decision was made.
The protest, held in Accra on Thursday, August 6, saw the NPP accuse the government of selective justice, political persecution and the misuse of state institutions.
Its timing, however, drew criticism from some members of the public because it coincided with the national memorial service attended by government officials, religious leaders, members of the Ghana Armed Forces and the families of the crash victims.
Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, Mr Mustapha insisted that the party holds the victims in high esteem and believes they would have identified with the democratic principles that inspired the demonstration.
“We have absolute respect for the memory of our gallant men who died. Absolute respect. One of them was a personal friend, the Honourable Murtala. Very personal.
“When we were discussing this matter, we were not aware of the government’s programme. We were only looking at our calendar and our scheduled activities.
“Knowing the calibre of men who were involved, they would identify with the issues we demonstrated over today. These were people who believed in the tenets of democracy,” he said.
The August 6, 2025 helicopter crash claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah; Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed; former Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Samuel Sarpong; Deputy NADMO Director Samuel Aboagye; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu; and Flight Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
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