- NPP MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah petitions Diplomatic Corps over alleged political harassment in Ghana.
- Claims state security agencies are being used to intimidate opposition members and outspoken citizens.
- Highlights raids on prominent figures including Dr. Ernest Addison, Ken Ofori-Atta, and youth activists.
- Senior NPP officials, including Chairman Wontumi and Abronye DC, also cited as targets.
- Calls for international intervention to protect rule of law, due process, and democratic freedoms.
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Old Tafo MP, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has appealed to the Diplomatic Corps in Accra, raising alarms about what he describes as increasing political harassment and intimidation under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
In a formal petition dated September 11, 2025, Assafuah warned that Ghana’s democratic institutions are under threat, alleging that state security agencies have shifted from protecting citizens to targeting opposition figures and outspoken critics.
Citing several high-profile incidents, the MP painted a picture of political pressure and intimidation:
- The March 2025 security raid on former Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Ernest Addison’s residence, which he described as a “deliberate show of force.”
- Law enforcement actions against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, including an Interpol red notice and declarations of fugitive status, carried out in his absence.
- Targeted operations against youth activists and media personalities, such as OKatakyie Afrifa-Mensah, Adenta Kumi, and Fante Comedy, allegedly aimed at silencing dissent.
- Arrests of senior NPP officials, including Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) and Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC).
Assafuah described these incidents as politically motivated rather than rooted in justice, arguing that due process is being undermined, bail decisions weaponized, and the presumption of innocence discarded. He warned that ordinary citizens now feel threatened in their homes, creating a nationwide climate of fear.
The MP called on the international community to:
- Take note of the escalating political intimidation and its implications for democracy.
- Urge the Ghanaian government to end arbitrary arrests and raids.
- Promote adherence to the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
- Support efforts to safeguard democratic space against authoritarian practices.
Assafuah concluded by emphasizing that these events are part of a broader effort to suppress criticism, creating a culture of fear in Ghana, and he urged vigilance to protect the nation’s democratic principles.
