Former Vice President and 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of orchestrating what he describes as a sustained assault on democracy and free speech in Ghana.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Dr. Bawumia said he was deeply concerned about what he called “endless assaults” on the rights of officers, activists, and supporters of the NPP since the NDC assumed office on January 7, 2025.
According to him, arrests, detentions, and “unconscionable bail conditions” imposed on some individuals linked to the opposition party have become a persistent feature under the current administration.
“The latest of such acts of intimidation has been the arrest, detention, and subsequent release of David Essandoh for lamenting on social media about the return of dumsor, and the bizarre decision to put the NPP Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe Abronye, into custody,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
He argued that such actions undermine constitutional freedoms and threaten Ghana’s democratic gains.
“These actions undermine free speech and are setting Ghana’s democracy backwards,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia further alleged an “unholy collaboration” between the Executive, state investigative bodies, and sections of the judiciary aimed at intimidating and silencing members of the NPP.
“I condemn in the strongest of terms, the unholy collaboration between the Executive, State investigative agencies, and some elements within the judiciary to use intimidation and harassment to silence members of the New Patriotic Party,” he stated.
The former Vice President also issued a warning to public officials whom he accused of participating in abuses of state power.
“I therefore serve notice to officers of the State who are active participants in this unholy enterprise that the day of accountability will come and the abuse of State power will be accounted for,” he cautioned.
Dr. Bawumia called on supporters of the NPP to remain resolute and continue holding government accountable despite what he described as attempts at intimidation.
“To Patriots around the country, I urge you all to stay firm by refusing to succumb to intimidation while continuing your civic duty to hold the Government accountable to its promises,” he said.
“We fought hard for this democracy and as a party we cannot surrender it to intimidation from those who possess temporary power today,” he added.
