Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has expressed grave concerns about the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s alleged growing attacks on free speech and the rights of party members and supporters.
Since the administration took office on January 7, 2025, he claimed to have seen with “great concern” a recurring pattern of arrests, detentions, intimidation, and what he called “unconscionable bail conditions” directed at NPP officers, activists, and sympathisers.
Dr. Bawumia believes that these acts pose an increasing danger to Ghana’s democratic culture and liberties. He claimed that these occurrences have increased in frequency and seem to be intended to silence opposition dissenting voices.
He mentioned recent instances, including as the detention of NPP Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe Abronye and the arrest and brief detention of social media user David Essandoh, who allegedly voiced concerns online regarding the return of “dumsor.”
He characterised these cases as alarming instances of political opponents being intimidated.
Dr. Bawumia denounced what he called the “unholy collaboration” between parts of the court, state investigative agencies, and the Executive branch, claiming that it was being used to stifle political dissent and free speech.
He cautioned that Ghana’s democratic progress is threatened by the use of state authority to intimidate individuals and political actors, which also creates a risky precedent for accountability and governance.
“The abuse of state power will be accounted for,” he said, adding that when accountability is demanded, individuals who engage in such behaviour would eventually face repercussions.
Dr. Bawumia asked party members and supporters across the country to maintain their resolve and fortitude in the face of these worries. He urged people to continue exercising their democratic rights and holding the administration responsible for its commitments rather than to be intimidated.
He urged individuals to defend and uphold democratic liberties for future generations, emphasising that Ghana’s democracy was hard-won and should not be undermined by political pressure or fear.
Statement Below:
Source: newsthemegh.com