Former Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Mahamudu Bawumia, has accused the governing National Democratic Congress administration of using state institutions to intimidate opposition members and suppress free speech.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Accra on Wednesday, Dr. Bawumia said he was deeply concerned about what he described as an “endless assault” on the rights of officers, activists, and supporters of the NPP across the country since the NDC assumed office on January 7, 2025.
According to him, arrests, detentions, and what he termed “unconscionable bail conditions” had become a persistent feature under the current administration.
Dr. Bawumia referenced the recent arrest and detention of social commentator David Essandoh over comments on social media regarding the return of dumsor, as well as the detention of NPP Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe Abronye, popularly known as Abronye DC.
He argued that the actions of the government undermine democratic freedoms and threaten Ghana’s democratic progress.
“The actions undermine free speech and are setting Ghana’s democracy backwards,” the statement read.
The former Vice President also alleged what he described as an “unholy collaboration” between the Executive, state investigative bodies, and sections of the judiciary to harass and silence members of the opposition party.
Dr. Bawumia further warned that state officials involved in what he termed abuse of power would eventually be held accountable.
He urged supporters of the NPP to remain resolute and continue holding the government accountable while resisting intimidation.
“We fought hard for this democracy and as a party, we cannot surrender it to intimidation from those who possess temporary power today,” he stated.
The statement is expected to intensify political debate over governance, civil liberties, and the relationship between the government and opposition parties as tensions continue to rise in the country’s political landscape.
Story By: Eric Boateng
