NPP Petitions Diplomats Over Alleged “State-Sponsored Political Persecution” Under Mahama Administration

The New Patriotic Party has formally petitioned Ghana’s diplomatic community, accusing the administration of President John Dramani Mahama of overseeing a “growing assault” on democratic governance, free speech and the rule of law.

In a 19 May letter signed by NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the party alleged that state institutions are being weaponized to intimidate, arrest and prosecute opposition figures, journalists and social media commentators.

The NPP said Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of constitutional democracy was under “serious threat,” citing what it called a coordinated pattern of arbitrary arrests, selective prosecutions, and suppression of dissent reminiscent of the country’s “culture of silence” era.

“Criminalization of speech and dissent”

The petition argues that the government is reviving censorship through the use of Sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, despite the repeal of criminal libel laws in 2001.

It highlights the recent arrest and remand of Kwame Baffoe, known as “Abronye DC,” Bono Regional Chairman of the NPP, on charges of “offensive conduct conducive to breach of peace” and “publication of false news” over comments he made criticizing a judge. The party said a judge’s refusal to grant him bail because he “might continue to make similar comments” violated constitutional guarantees of liberty and free expression.

The NPP listed more than a dozen other party members and sympathizers it said were victims of government-sponsored persecution, including Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Paul Adom-Otchere, Alfred Ababio Kumi alias “Adenta Kumi,” and Okatakyie Afrifa.

“Criticism of public officials, including members of the judiciary, is not a crime in a constitutional democracy,” the petition stated. “The conversion of political criticism into criminal prosecution is… a political choice designed to intimidate and silence dissent.”

Allegations of security agency abuse

The party also accused the National Investigations Bureau, EOCO, Ghana Police Service and National Security operatives of conducting “Rambo-style” arrests, midnight raids and prolonged detentions of opposition figures. It said the use of the NIB as a detention facility for speech-related offences was unjustified and raised questions about due process.

The NPP further alleged “selective justice,” claiming that NDC officials involved in violent incidents during the Akwatia by-election had not been acted against despite evidence submitted to police.

Concerns over judicial independence

The petition expressed “grave concern” over the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, saying it had created apprehension about judicial independence and security of tenure. It warned that denial of bail in politically sensitive cases and judicial deference to politically motivated prosecutions were eroding public confidence in the courts.

NPP’s demands

The party called on the diplomatic community and development partners to:

1. Monitor the human rights and democratic governance situation in Ghana.
2. Reaffirm the importance of free expression, judicial independence and political pluralism.
3. Engage the government on the alleged misuse of criminal prosecutions against dissent.
4. Call for an end to politically motivated arrests and intimidation.
5. Urge state institutions to act within constitutional limits and without partisan bias.

“This petition is not merely about one political party or one individual. It is about the future of constitutional democracy in Ghana,” the letter said. “The culture of silence must never return to Ghana.”

Government response

The Mahama administration has not yet issued an official response to the petition. The presidency has previously stated that arrests and prosecutions are carried out by independent security and prosecutorial agencies in line with the law.

The diplomatic community in Ghana has not commented publicly on the petition as of press time.

The NPP said it remains committed to defending democratic values through “lawful and constitutional means” and expects international partners to stand with Ghanaians in defense of liberty and accountability.