Member of Parliament for Akwapim North, Sammi Awuku, has accused what he describes as the deliberate targeting of opposition figures under the John Mahama-led administration. Speaking at the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) “Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna” demonstration in Accra on September 23, he accused the government of using state institutions as tools of intimidation.
Awuku argued that the law was being applied unevenly depending on political affiliation. Citing recent incidents, he claimed that while ruling party members who make inflammatory statements are treated with leniency, opposition members face harsher consequences for similar or even lesser offenses.
“Today, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” he said. “You have a vice chairman of a ruling party making incendiary comments and attacks… he’s called over tea or coffee and granted bail. Then you have a regional chairman of the opposition party who comments, the police find it offensive, and the person is put behind bars with draconian bail conditions.”
The MP went on, saying, “A trial judge will tell you that in the animal farm book, not all animals are equal. That is the kind of situation that we face.”
Awuku insisted that the youth of the NPP would not stand idly by in the face of what he termed selective justice. “I’m happy that today the young people in our party have risen to the occasion and are clear in their minds that they will resist oppressive rule, speak against injustice, and also speak against the harassment, intimidation, and deliberate gagging of opposition activists. This we will not allow.”
He further accused the police and Attorney General’s office of working “in concert” to suppress opposition voices while turning a blind eye to misconduct from government supporters. “What I find outrageous is the fact that the rule of law is deliberately being selectively applied, and that is not good for our democracy,” he warned.
Concluding his remarks, Awuku rallied his audience with a call to action: “I urge the NPP youth that today we begin another long walk to freedom. And this we will not stop. We will back party leadership and challenge any decision that we believe is inconsistent with the rule of law and the constitution of our country.”
