The Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Communications Committee, Nana Akomea, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to take immediate steps to halt what he describes as a “creeping culture of silence” emerging under the current administration.
Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo programme on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Nana Akomea argued that in a democratic society, speech-related matters that allegedly damage reputations should be addressed through civil remedies rather than criminal prosecution, especially following Ghana’s repeal of the Criminal Libel Law.
According to him, although some colonial-era sedition laws still exist, such laws should only be applied in extreme circumstances where statements pose a serious threat to national security or public safety.
He maintained that many of the recent arrests of individuals linked to political commentary or public criticism do not meet the threshold for sedition offences.
Nana Akomea cited several examples, including the arrest of Rita Batse over comments criticising the performance of local government officials and the abandonment of a factory project in Hohoe. He also referenced the arrest of David Essandoh following a Facebook post on the ongoing power outages, popularly known as “dumsor,” which featured President Mahama’s photograph.
Other cases he mentioned included Alfred Kumi, who petitioned the President over the conduct of members of the committee investigating Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo; Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, who raised concerns about the activities of two aircrafts at the airport and Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, who allegedly highlighted claims of extortion in the awarding of scholarships.
He further mentioned Wilberforce, a journalist with Asaase Radio, who was reportedly questioned over a report concerning operations at the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).
According to Nana Akomea, none of these incidents should warrant arrests on grounds of sedition or criminal intimidation.
He also criticised the manner in which some of the arrests were reportedly carried out, describing them as excessive and intimidating. He alleged that in several instances, security operatives conducted dawn raids using heavily armed and masked personnel, while some suspects were denied bail as though they were dangerous criminals.
Nana Akomea further accused the government of selective justice, claiming that some members and sympathisers of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), who made controversial statements, have not faced similar scrutiny.
Among those he referenced were Sabah Zita Benson, whom he alleged accused the NPP of involvement in a helicopter crash that killed government officials; former MPs Kojo Adu Asare and Joseph Azumah, who reportedly spoke about extortion in senior high school admissions; as well as Anita De-Soso, who allegedly claimed appointments under President Mahama were being sold.
He also cited Fifi Kwetey, accusing him of alleging that government officials were cutting deals with persons accused of corruption to avoid prosecution.
Nana Akomea argued that the perceived disparity in how such cases are handled creates an impression of political discrimination and intolerance.
He expressed concern that, within just over a year of President Mahama’s administration, more than 16 NPP members had allegedly been arrested over comments or political expressions, and urged the President to intervene to protect freedom of speech and democratic accountability in the country.
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