The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has formally petitioned Ghana’s diplomatic community, raising alarm over what it describes as a “growing and deeply troubling assault” on democratic governance, constitutional liberties, and political pluralism under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama.
In the petition, the opposition party alleges a widening pattern of state-sponsored political persecution, criminalisation of dissent, selective justice, and increasing intimidation of critics, including opposition politicians, journalists, and social media commentators.
The NPP argues that Ghana, long regarded as a stable democratic model in Africa, is now witnessing a reversal of hard-won democratic gains through what it describes as the weaponisation of state security and prosecutorial institutions.
The party further contends that recent developments signal a “systematic and coordinated architecture of political persecution” that threatens freedom of expression, judicial independence, and the rule of law.
The petition was signed on behalf of the party by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong and Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin.
Criminalisation of speech and political dissent
A central concern raised in the petition is what the NPP describes as the growing criminalisation of political speech and dissenting opinions.
The party argues that although Ghana repealed criminal libel and seditious laws in 2001—an achievement it credits to the Kufuor administration and then Attorney-General Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo—the current administration is allegedly using provisions of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), particularly Sections 207 and 208, to achieve similar outcomes through indirect means.
According to the petition, opposition communicators, journalists, activists, and social media commentators are increasingly being arrested and prosecuted for expressing critical views about government officials and public institutions.
The party describes this as a shift from democratic engagement to criminal prosecution in response to political criticism.
Case of Abronye DC highlighted
The petition cites the arrest and prosecution of Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as “Abronye DC,” as a key example of what it describes as politically motivated prosecution.
Abronye DC, the Bono Regional Chairman of the NPP, was reportedly charged with “offensive conduct conducive to breach of peace” and “publication of false news” after allegedly making comments questioning judicial impartiality. He was arraigned before Circuit Court 9 in Accra.
The petition further raises concern over the court’s decision to deny bail on the basis that the accused might repeat similar statements if released.
According to the NPP, this reasoning undermines constitutional guarantees of liberty, presumption of innocence, and freedom of expression.
The party insists that criticism of public officials, including judges, is not a criminal offence in a constitutional democracy and should instead be addressed through civil defamation processes where necessary.
NPP names communicators, journalists, and activists
The petition alleges a broader pattern of arrests and intimidation targeting members and supporters of the opposition party.
Among those listed includes Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC), Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Paul Adom-Otchere, Daniel Adomako (Sir Obama), Mohammed Zakou, Yayra Abiwu, “Fante Comedy”, “Akyenkwa” of Wontumi TV, Okatakyie Afrifa and Kofi Ofosu Nkansah.
Others include Alfred Ababio Kumi (Adenta Kumi), Gordon Asare Bediako, Abubakar Yakubu (Baba Amando) David Essandoh and others.
The party claims these individuals have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, arrests, or prosecutions linked to political expression or criticism of government officials.
Allegations of abuse of state security institutions
The NPP also raises concerns about what it describes as the misuse of state security agencies for partisan purposes.
According to the petition, institutions such as National Security, the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Ghana Police Service are allegedly being used to conduct “Rambo-style arrests,” midnight raids, and prolonged detentions.
The party claims that opposition figures are increasingly subjected to humiliating public arrests and detention under harsh bail conditions designed to intimidate political opponents.
It specifically questions the use of NIB facilities as detention centres for individuals accused of speech-related offences.
The petition also raises legal concerns regarding the detention of Abronye DC, alleging procedural irregularities, including the reported absence of a signed remand order from the court registry.
Selective justice and alleged double standards
The petition further accuses law enforcement agencies of applying justice selectively in favour of members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), while targeting opposition figures.
The NPP cites incidents from the Akwatia by-election, alleging that individuals linked to the NDC, including Chairman Awudu Sofo Azorka and Abuakwa North NDC Communications Officer Abdul Wahab Amadu, engaged in violent conduct and threats against opposition figures.
The party claims that despite filing petitions and presenting evidence, no meaningful action has been taken by the police.
It argues that such inaction undermines public confidence in state institutions and violates constitutional guarantees of equality before the law.
Concerns over judicial independence
The petition also raises concerns about what it describes as growing Executive interference in the judiciary.
It specifically references the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, stating that the development has triggered apprehension within legal circles about judicial independence and security of tenure.
The NPP argues that there is an emerging perception that judges risk political retaliation or professional victimisation if they issue rulings unfavourable to the Executive.
It further claims that bail decisions in politically sensitive cases and increasing judicial acceptance of speech-related prosecutions raise concerns about neutrality.
The party warns that erosion of judicial independence threatens the judiciary’s role as the last safeguard of constitutional democracy.
The NPP argued that these incidents collectively demonstrate a sustained effort to intimidate dissenting voices.
Appeal to diplomatic community
The party is urging the diplomatic community, development partners, and international human rights organisations to intervene by monitoring the situation and engaging Ghanaian authorities.
Specifically, the NPP is calling for Monitoring of human rights and democratic governance conditions, eeaffirmation of freedom of expression and judicial independence, engagement with government on alleged misuse of criminal prosecutions, cessation of politically motivated arrests and intimidation, ensuring security agencies act within constitutional limits and support for democratic accountability and civil liberties
Warning against democratic erosion
The NPP concludes that its concerns go beyond partisan politics, describing the developments as a broader threat to Ghana’s democratic future.
It warns that democratic erosion often occurs gradually through selective prosecutions, intimidation, and institutional capture, which may eventually normalise fear among citizens.
The party insists Ghana must not return to what it describes as a “culture of silence,” and reaffirms its commitment to constitutional democracy, rule of law, and peaceful political engagement.
The petition was jointly signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong and Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin.
