The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has petitioned the diplomatic community in Ghana over what it describes as growing state-sponsored political persecution, suppression of dissent and erosion of democratic freedoms under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama.
In a petition dated May 19, 2026, and addressed to members of the diplomatic community, the opposition party expressed concern over what it called the “weaponization” of state institutions against political opponents, journalists, social media commentators and critics of government.
According to the NPP, Ghana’s democratic credentials, including freedom of speech, judicial independence and political pluralism, are under threat due to increasing incidents of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, selective prosecutions and politically motivated detentions.
The petition, signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, and Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, alleged that the current administration was using state security agencies and prosecutorial institutions to suppress opposition voices.
The NPP claimed that provisions under Sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act were being used to indirectly reintroduce criminal libel and censor political criticism despite the repeal of the Criminal Libel and Seditious Laws in 2001.
The party cited the recent arrest and prosecution of Bono Regional NPP Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as “Abronye DC,” as an example of what it described as the criminalization of political speech.
According to the petition, Mr. Baffoe was arrested and remanded over comments allegedly criticizing a judge and questioning judicial impartiality.
The NPP argued that criticism of public officials, including members of the judiciary, should not attract criminal prosecution in a constitutional democracy, insisting that civil remedies already exist for matters relating to defamation.
The petition further accused state security agencies, including the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Ghana Police Service, of being used to intimidate opposition figures through dramatic arrests, raids and prolonged detentions.
The opposition party also raised concerns about what it described as selective justice, alleging that opposition members faced swift prosecution while persons associated with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) accused of similar conduct were ignored by law enforcement agencies.
The petition referenced alleged attacks during the Akwatia by-election involving individuals linked to the NDC, claiming that no meaningful action had been taken despite complaints to the police.
The NPP additionally expressed concern over judicial independence, citing the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo and alleging growing public perceptions of executive interference in the judiciary.
Several individuals, including politicians, social media commentators and activists, were listed by the party as alleged victims of political intimidation and prosecution.
The NPP called on the diplomatic community, development partners and international human rights organisations to closely monitor Ghana’s democratic environment and publicly reaffirm the importance of freedom of expression, judicial independence, due process and political pluralism.
The party also appealed for international support in safeguarding democratic accountability, civil liberties and the rule of law in Ghana.
“The culture of silence must never return to Ghana,” the petition concluded.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
