NPP Accuses Mahama Government of Using Arrests to Silence Critics

(Akosua Manu. Photo Credit: Modern Ghana)

The New Patriotic Party's (NPP) spokesperson for Gender and Social Protection, Akosua Manu, has accused the government of President John Dramani Mahama of employing arrests and harsh bail conditions as tools to intimidate political opponents and stifle dissent.

Speaking on recent developments in Ghana, Manu alleged that the arrest of government critics was politically driven, aimed at weakening opposition voices rather than genuinely upholding the rule of law.

She claimed that the opposition remains the administration's most vocal critic, which she said has triggered what amounts to a deliberate effort to suppress dissenting voices.

"They are arresting dissenters and imposing excessive bail conditions to silence critics.

The opposition is their loudest critic, and they believe they already have control over much of the media while some civil society organisations that would ordinarily speak out have also been muted," she said.

Manu further alleged that the government's actions form part of a broader strategy to pave the way for a constitutional amendment that would enable President Mahama to pursue a third term in office.

She called on Ghanaians to remain vigilant rather than stay silent, stressing that citizens must continue holding the government accountable and resist any attempt to weaken the country's democratic institutions.

The NPP spokesperson also referenced the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, claiming the development initially drew little public attention but has since prompted increased scrutiny of the government's conduct.

She additionally criticised the Mahama administration over what she termed unfulfilled campaign promises, citing the proposed 24-hour economy and job creation initiatives as examples.

Manu also alleged that some members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) privately oppose any push for a third-term agenda but remain unwilling to voice their concerns publicly for fear of jeopardising potential political appointments.

"Even within their party (NDC), there are people against the third-term agenda, but they just can't say it because most of them are still waiting for appointments.

They know for sure that it is a bad idea," she alleged.

She cautioned that any attempt to amend Ghana's presidential term limits would pose a serious threat to the country's democracy, arguing that weakening constitutional safeguards could expose future generations to the risk of authoritarian rule.

The Mahama administration has yet to publicly respond to Manu's allegations.