Former Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration of using state institutions to intimidate opposition members and suppress free speech.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 13, Dr Bawumia expressed concern over what he described as a growing pattern of politically motivated arrests, detentions and harsh bail conditions targeting officers, activists and supporters of the NPP.
According to him, the alleged intimidation has become a recurring feature of the NDC government since it assumed office on January 7, 2025.
“I have observed with great concern the endless assault on the fundamental rights of officers, activists, and supporters of the New Patriotic Party across the country,” he stated.
Dr Bawumia referenced the recent arrest and detention of social media user David Essandoh, who reportedly complained online about the return of power outages, popularly known as “dumsor.” He also cited the detention of NPP Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe Abronye, as another example of what he called political harassment.
“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,” he said.
The former Vice President further alleged that some state investigative bodies and sections of the judiciary were collaborating with the Executive to silence members of the opposition.
“These actions undermine free speech and are setting Ghana’s democracy backwards,” Dr Bawumia stated. “I condemn in the strongest 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 also cautioned state officials allegedly involved in what he described as abuse of power, warning that they would eventually be held accountable for their actions.
“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 added.
Dr Bawumia concluded by encouraging NPP supporters to remain resolute and continue holding the government accountable despite what he called attempts to intimidate the opposition.
“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. “We fought hard for this democracy, and as a party, we cannot surrender it to intimidation from those who possess temporary power today.”
