The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been accused of using Machiavellian tactics with wanton arrest of political opponents to divert attention and cover up its failed campaign promises.
Ghanaians are holding the NDC government’s feet to the fire for failing to deliver on its promise of implementing a 24-hour economy with formula 1-3-3, in shift system where three people will be employed in on job; Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) supposedly from previous government officials and passage and signing into law of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill popularly referred to as Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
Particularly, Catholic and Methodist bishops as well as the majority of Ghanaians, are currently mounting pressure on President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC to pass the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill at the speed of light as they promised while in opposition.
But in what is seen as a diversionary tactic, key members of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) are being arrested by state security agencies and kept in detention for weeks in a manner described by political watchers as political witch-hunting.
The latest was the arrest on Monday, April 13, 2026, of NPP’s Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye DC and Sunyani East Constituency Communications Director Abubakar Yakubu (Baba Amando), ostensibly to intimidate and curtail free speech.
Police are said to be investigating Abronye DC over alleged “threats” made against a judge presiding over a case at the Adenta Circuit Court. Baba Amando, on the other hand, was arrested over allegations of false publication.
Their release on bail was followed by strong criticism from senior NPP figures.
Speaking to journalists in Accra after securing bail for the two accused persons, Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin called on the police to show restraint and tolerance in carrying out their duties.
Silencing of dissenting voices
The merciless arrests, according to the NPP, is yet another example of the growing use of state security apparatus to intimidate and silence dissenting voices under the administration of President Mahama.
NPP in a statement issued by its National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye said it is particularly concerned that this action raises serious questions about the state of free speech and civil liberties in the country.
“The party believes this incident constitutes a diversionary tactic aimed at shifting public attention away from pressing national challenges, including LGBT issues, failed formula “1-3-3”, rising cost of living, increasing fuel prices, increasing utility tariffs, and the government’s failure to deliver on key policy promises,” the statement stressed.
Consequently, the NPP has condemned the arrest of Mr Abubakar Yakubu and Abronye, describing the action as unwarranted and deeply troubling for the nation’s democratic credentials.
“According to available information, Mr Yakubu, popularly known as ‘Baba Amando’, accompanied by his lawyer, Mr Alfred Tuah Yeboah, a former Deputy Attorney-General, honoured an invitation from the Ghana Police Service at the Bono Regional Police Headquarters at approximately 10:00 a.m. today.
“Upon arrival, however, both Mr Yakubu and his counsel were informed by officers at the command that they had no knowledge of such an invitation, despite prior communication directing him to report there,” the statement explained.
It added that, “Subsequent engagement with the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra revealed that Mr Yakubu was instead required in Accra.”
The CID in Accra reportedly instructed the Bono Regional Police CID to effect his arrest and facilitate his transfer to the capital, and he had since been arrested and is presently being conveyed to Accra.
Abronye’s arrest
Abronye on the other hand, was arrested in Accra on charges yet to be clearly explained.
This has been about the fourth time the Bono Regional Chairman has been arrested by the security agencies since January 2025.
Sunyani East NPP supportes angry
Meanwhile, some aggrieved supporters of the NPP in the Sunyani East constituency besieged the regional police headquarters in Sunyani to register their displeasure, describing Mr Yakubu’s arrest as baseless and a political witch hunt.
They chanted NPP songs in solidarity with Mr Yakubu, whose arrest had since remained a topical issue in Sunyani, with many other NPP faithful flooding the social media with the news of his arrest.
