The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the government of fostering a culture of intolerance and suppressing dissenting voices, warning that such actions undermine Ghana’s constitutional democracy.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Accra on Wednesday, the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Frimpong Kodua, alleged that the current administration, led by John Dramani Mahama, was orchestrating what he described as arbitrary arrests and intimidation of critics.
He said the purpose of the briefing was to draw public attention to what he termed “unpleasant, whimsical, and unconscionable developments” under the government, particularly regarding respect for fundamental human rights.
Mr Kodua recalled incidents in 2025, during the early days of the administration, where members of the NPP were allegedly arrested and detained under what he described as “Rambo-style operations.” He stressed that the party’s intention at the time was not to seek sympathy but to alert the media, civil society organisations, and the clergy to what it viewed as a dangerous erosion of constitutional governance.
Citing provisions of the 1992 Constitution, particularly Article 21, the NPP General Secretary emphasised that freedom of speech and expression remained a cornerstone of Ghana’s democratic framework.
He expressed concern that the government’s actions signaled a return to what he described as the “culture of silence.”
According to him, several individuals who had openly criticised government policies had been arrested, detained and in some cases arraigned before the courts.
He mentioned that details of a recent case involving a party communication officer in the Sunyani East constituency would be provided by the party’s National Organiser.
Mr Kodua further alleged that the government often resorted to diversionary tactics whenever confronted with pressing national issues, arguing that such strategies were intended to shift public attention away from governance challenges.
He contrasted the current situation with what he described as the NPP’s record in government, noting that during the tenure of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, critics were tolerated despite what he characterised as harsh and sometimes offensive commentary from political opponents.
The NPP General Secretary also criticised the conduct of some state institutions, including the police and the judiciary, accusing them of selectively targeting individuals perceived to be opponents of the government.
He urged the media, described as the “fourth estate,” to remain vigilant and uphold their responsibility to safeguard democratic principles.
Mr Kodua warned that political power was transient and called on the government to respect the rule of law, cautioning that actions taken today could have consequences in the future.
He concluded by expressing concern over what he described as unfulfilled campaign promises, including job creation and improvements in living conditions, urging the government to focus on addressing the needs of Ghanaians.
The press conference forms part of a series of engagements by the NPP aimed at drawing attention to governance and human rights issues in the country.
By Kingsley Asiedu
