Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, Mustapha Gbande, has criticised the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration, describing its timing as disrespectful to the memory of the eight people who died in the August 6, 2025 military helicopter crash.
According to him, the NPP should have considered the significance of the day, which coincided with the first anniversary memorial service for the victims of the tragedy.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, Mr Gbande questioned why the party chose to hold its demonstration on the same day government officials, families and members of the Ghana Armed Forces were commemorating the lives of the deceased.
“Didn’t they know what we were mourning? Don’t they know? Or are they witches? Are they happy about what happened in this country?” he asked.
He said the Chief of Staff, whom the NPP delegation intended to meet to present its petition, was attending the memorial service for the crash victims and questioned why the party could not have considered the circumstances.
“The Chief of Staff they wanted to meet was even sitting at the one-year anniversary of the helicopter crash victims. So is Nana Yaa a small girl?” he said.
Mr Gbande also questioned whether the NPP was more interested in media attention than the actual presentation of its petition.
“Or were they just interested in the pictures and videos, or the petition and who would receive it?” he asked.
He explained that on normal occasions when political parties organise demonstrations, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations is usually the official who receives petitions on behalf of the Presidency.
He said if he had been assigned to receive the petition under the circumstances, he would have declined because of the emotions surrounding the memorial service.
“If someone is mourning at funeral grounds and you want them to come for your petition, do you think that is right? I am very angry about this,” he said.
Mr Gbande further questioned whether the NPP understood the pain caused by the helicopter crash and the feelings of members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“If someone is mourning and you are there blaming them, do you think it is nice? Should we continue like that? What does the NPP want? Do they think blood doesn’t run through the veins of NDC members?” he added.
The NPP’s “Democracy Under Attack” protest, held in Accra on Thursday, August 6, saw the party accuse the government of selective justice, political persecution and the misuse of state institutions.
The timing of the demonstration attracted criticism from some members of the public because it coincided with the National Interfaith Memorial Service attended by government officials, religious leaders, members of the Ghana Armed Forces and families of the crash victims.
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