Former Vice President and 2024 Presidential Candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mahamudu Bawumia, has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration of orchestrating what he described as a systematic assault on democracy, free speech and the rights of opposition supporters across the country.
In a strongly-worded statement issued in Accra yesterday, Dr. Bawumia alleged that officers, activists and supporters of the NPP have been subjected to arrests, intimidation, detentions and “unconscionable bail conditions” since the NDC assumed office on January 7, 2025.
His statement comes at a time of growing tension between the ruling government and the opposition party following a string of arrests and investigations involving some NPP figures and communicators.
The latest controversy surrounds the remand of NPP Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe Abronye, a development that has triggered outrage within the opposition party and renewed accusations of political persecution against the government.
Dr. Bawumia also referenced the arrest and subsequent release of social media commentator David Essandoh, who was reportedly picked up after lamenting online over the resurgence of power outages, popularly referred to as “dumsor.”
“The latest of such acts of intimidation has been the arrest, detention and subsequent release of David Essandoh for lamenting on social media about the return of dumsor, and the bizarre decision to put the NPP Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe Abronye, into custody,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
The former Vice President argued that the developments represent an attack on Ghana’s democratic credentials and constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
“These actions undermine free speech and are setting Ghana’s democracy backwards,” he stressed.
Dr. Bawumia further accused the Executive arm of government, state investigative bodies and sections of the judiciary of allegedly collaborating to suppress dissenting voices within the opposition.
“I condemn in the strongest of terms, the unholy collaboration between the Executive, State investigative agencies and some elements within the judiciary to use intimidation and harassment to silence members of the New Patriotic Party,” he declared.
He warned that state officials involved in what he described as abuse of power would one day be held accountable.
“I, therefore, serve notice to officers of the State who are active participants in this unholy enterprise that the day of accountability will come and the abuse of State power will be accounted for,” he cautioned.
The NPP flag bearer also rallied party supporters across the country not to be intimidated by the recent developments.
“To Patriots around the country, I urge you all to stay firm by refusing to succumb to intimidation while continuing your civic duty to hold the Government accountable to its promises,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia maintained that Ghana’s democratic gains were achieved through years of political struggle and sacrifice, insisting that the opposition would resist any attempt to erode those freedoms.
“We fought hard for this democracy and as a party, we cannot surrender it to intimidation from those who possess temporary power today,” he added.
The statement is expected to intensify the already heated political atmosphere between the NDC government and the opposition NPP, particularly as public debate grows over governance, civil liberties and the use of state institutions in politically sensitive matters.
Government officials are yet to officially respond to the allegations contained in Dr. Bawumia’s statement.
