The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has escalated its concerns over what it describes as systematic political persecution under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, formally petitioning members of Ghana’s diplomatic corps to intervene. In a comprehensive statement issued in Accra, the opposition party accused the government of suppressing dissent, undermining democratic institutions, and weaponising state institutions to target political opponents, journalists, and critics.
The NPP’s petition, delivered to Ghana’s diplomatic community, highlights a disturbing pattern of intimidation, including arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, and legal harassment against individuals who express dissenting views. The party warns that these actions are eroding Ghana’s democratic foundations, risking the nation’s long-standing reputation as a stable and pluralistic society.
A Culture of Silence and the Criminalisation of Free Speech
The statement asserts that Ghana is witnessing a gradual shift toward a “culture of silence,” where citizens increasingly self-censor out of fear of legal repercussions or physical harm. The NPP argues that this chilling effect on free expression is a direct consequence of the government’s selective enforcement of laws and targeted persecution of opposition figures.
One of the most high-profile cases cited in the petition is that of Kwame Baffoe (popularly known as Abronye DC), the NPP’s Regional Chairman for the Ashanti Region. Baffoe was arrested and charged after making critical remarks about a judge, a move the party describes as unprecedented and politically motivated. Despite his long-standing reputation as a respected public figure, he was denied bail, raising concerns about judicial bias and the misuse of the legal system.
The NPP emphasises that such cases represent a dangerous precedent, where free speech is being criminalised under the guise of legal proceedings. This, they argue, violates Ghana’s constitutional protections and undermines the principles of a fair and independent judiciary.
The Repeal of Criminal Libel and Its Undermining
Ghana’s abolition of criminal libel laws in 2001 under former President John Agyekum Kufuor was hailed as a landmark reform that strengthened press freedom and democratic discourse. However, the NPP contends that the current administration has subverted this progress by relying on alternative legal mechanisms—such as defamation, sedition, and public order offences—to silence critics.
The party warns that these legal loopholes are being exploited to prosecute opposition members and journalists, effectively replacing one form of censorship with another. This, they argue, undermines the gains made in press freedom and reinforces a climate of fear among those who dare to challenge the government.
State Security Agencies Used for Political Purposes
A central concern raised in the petition is the increasing militarisation of state security agencies, including the police and intelligence services, which the NPP claims are being used for partisan political purposes.
The party documents multiple instances where opposition figures have been arrested in dramatic, high-profile operations, often under flimsy charges that lack substantive evidence. Once detained, they are subjected to harsh conditions, including prolonged remand periods and denial of bail, all while government-aligned individuals face little to no accountability for similar actions.
This selective application of the law, the NPP argues, undermines public trust in law enforcement and reinforces perceptions of a two-tiered justice system—one for the ruling party and another for its critics.
Judicial Independence Under Threat
The NPP’s petition also highlights concerns over judicial independence, particularly following the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo in 2020. The party asserts that this high-profile dismissal has further eroded public confidence in the judiciary, with many fearing that political influence now plays a role in judicial decisions, especially in sensitive political cases.
The NPP warns that if this trend continues, Ghana’s justice system will lose its credibility, leading to widespread distrust in the rule of law—a cornerstone of any functioning democracy.
A Call for International Intervention
In light of these deepening concerns, the NPP has urged the diplomatic community, development partners, and human rights organisations to actively monitor developments in Ghana. The party calls on these stakeholders to:
– Speak out in defence of free speech and democratic principles
– Engage the government on the misuse of legal frameworks to suppress dissent
– Hold accountable those responsible for political persecution and judicial bias
The NPP’s petition underscores a critical moment in Ghana’s democratic trajectory, where institutional safeguards are being systematically undermined by a government that prioritises political control over constitutional governance. Without international scrutiny and intervention, the party warns, Ghana risks slipping into an authoritarian trajectory, betraying the democratic values it has long championed.
The full implications of these developments remain to be seen, but the NPP’s formal intervention signals a serious escalation in its efforts to alert the world to the erosion of Ghana’s democratic institutions.