Former Vice President and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate for the 2024 general election, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to stop using his gun-wielding and rampaging security operatives to persecute political opponents.
Persistent harassment of innocent citizens by these security agencies in just three months under Mr. Mahama’s presidency, Dr Bawumia pointed out, will not auger well for the peace and unity of the country.
The former Vice President’s call followed a botched attempt by operatives of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to arrest the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, at his residence in Accra on Wednesday after the lawmaker broke the news on two alleged “cocaine and money laundering” flights in the country.
Earlier in a media briefing, the Minority Leader in Parliament, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, strongly condemned the attempted arrest of the Assin South MP, calling it a dangerous misuse of state power and a threat to Ghana’s democratic credentials.
He expressed deep disappointment at what he described as an unprovoked and heavy-handed move against an MP who was simply expressing his views on ongoing investigations into alleged drug trafficking involving state actors.
Also in a statement issued after visiting Rev. Fordjour, Dr Bawumia condemned the attempted arrest, describing it as an “unfortunate political persecution”.
He said the MP was in high spirits and undeterred by the incident.
“Rev. Fordjour was in high spirit and undaunted. I charge all Party faithful to remain calm, steadfast, and law-abiding in this period of unfortunate political persecution,” he stated.
Dr Bawumia reiterated his call to President Mahama, urging him to immediately bring his security operatives under control.
“I wish to reiterate my earlier submission to the President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, to immediately rein in his security operatives. The security institutions of our country must not be reduced to political tools used to harass and intimidate opponents,” he cautioned.
Dr Bawumia further warned that Ghanaians would not tolerate a return to an atmosphere of fear and arbitrary action by state agencies.
“Ghanaians will not accept this descent into lawlessness and fear,” Dr Bawumia asserted, reaffirming the NPP’s commitment to democracy, rule of law, and political tolerance.
Former appointees’ houses raided
Houses of appointees of the previous NPP government have been raided by operatives of the National Security and National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).
The victims of these marauding security agents include former Minister for Finance Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) Dr Ernest Addison and the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) of former Vice President Bawumia, Supt. Yakubu Issahaku.
Minority petitions Speaker Bagbin
Meanwhile, tension is simmering in Parliament as the Minority Caucus led by Osahen Afenyo-Markin has formally petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, over what they described as a “troubling pattern” of disregard for constitutional protocols by national security agencies, particularly the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).
In a memorandum addressed to the Speaker and signed by the Minority Chief Whip, Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the caucus condemned an attempt by the NIB to arrest Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Member of Parliament for Assin South and Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee.
According to the Minority, the attempt to apprehend Rev. Fordjour at his residence on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, was in direct contravention of clearly established procedures for engaging MPs in investigative matters.
The MP had recently addressed the media making claims of cocaine trafficking and money laundering against the state.
“This arrest attempt was made at his residence in the afternoon, clearly disregarding these well-intended protocols established in your able leadership and guarded by the Constitution to protect the mandate of Parliament,” the memo stated.
The Speaker had previously issued a directive, most recently in a letter dated April 2, 2025, to the NIB, reiterating that all engagements with MPs must comply with Articles 117 and 118 of the 1992 Constitution.
These articles safeguard the privileges and immunities of Parliamentarians and outline the proper channels for legal and security interactions with them.
“This is not just a procedural oversight; it is an affront to the authority of the Speaker and the integrity of Parliament as an institution. Such actions not only undermine the authority of the Office of the Speaker but also directly violate the privileges and immunities of Members of Parliament,” the Minority emphasized.
The memo cited previous incidents involving the MP for Yagaba/Kubori, Mr Mustapha Ussif, and the MP for Gomoa Central, Hon. Kwame Asare Obeng, as examples of a growing pattern of what the Minority describes as “non-compliance” by security agencies.
The Caucus called on the Speaker to “reaffirm the earlier directives and engage the relevant national security heads to ensure that such interactions with Honourable Members are conducted in conformance with the Constitution and with the decorum and procedure befitting their status as representatives of the people.”
