The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has petitioned President John Mahama and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohunu, over what it describes as increasing state-sponsored harassment of political opponents, including its members, journalists, and social media activists.
In the petition, dated September 23, 2025, the NPP alleged that since the Mahama administration assumed office in January, security agencies have been used to intimidate opposition figures and suppress dissenting voices. The party warned that the trend signals a “gradual return of the culture of silence,” despite the repeal of the criminal libel law more than two decades ago.
According to the NPP, state institutions including the police, National Security, EOCO, and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) are being “weaponized” against critics while neglecting pressing issues such as illegal mining and insecurity in parts of the country. The petition cited the arrests of several NPP activists and journalists, including Daniel Adomako, also known as “Sir-Obama Pokuase,” veteran broadcaster Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, and Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe ‘Abronye.’
The party also accused the security services of detaining suspects beyond the 48-hour constitutional limit and imposing what it described as “onerous bail conditions” on opposition members. It referenced cases involving Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, former Buffer Stock CEO Abdul-Wahab Hanan Aludiba, and others, as well as recent actions by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) against former government officials and journalists.
The petition further alleged that the Judiciary has been compromised following the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, claiming that judges now fear executive interference in the administration of justice.
The NPP outlined a series of demands, including:
- An end to political harassment and the criminalization of speech.
- Immediate cessation of midnight arrests of opposition members.
- Action on its earlier petition calling for the arrest of NDC Vice Chairman Awudu Sofo Azorka and Constituency Communications Officer Abdul Wahab Amadu for alleged assaults during the Akwatia by-election.
- Equal treatment of all citizens before the law, regardless of political affiliation.
The party also urged civil society, the media, and traditional and religious leaders to join in resisting what it described as “state-sponsored tyranny.”
“We remain resolute in our commitment to uphold the rule of law, protect the constitutional and human rights of citizens, and restore public trust in our democratic institutions,” the petition concluded.
Neither the presidency nor the Ghana Police Service had responded publicly to the NPP’s petition at the time of filing this report.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
