The National Organiser of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, has launched a strong critique against President John Dramani Mahama and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing them of intolerance and using state institutions to suppress free expression.
Speaking at a press conference at the NPP headquarters in Accra, Nana B alleged that the government has covertly empowered the Ghana Police Service to criminalise free speech, creating fear among citizens who wish to criticise the administration.
The press briefing was held in protest against the arrest and detention of an NPP communication officer in Sunyani East, identified as Abubakar Yakubu, also known as Baba Amando.
He was granted bail, together with the Bono Regional NPP Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, by the police on Tuesday, April 14.
However, Baba Amando has been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court after he appeared before the court.
He is accused of publishing false information and has been held in custody for one week as the case proceeds.
According to Nana B, the development reflects a broader pattern of political intolerance under the current government.
“The NDC is not tolerant. President Mahama, you are not tolerant. Why would you empower the police to criminalise free speech?” he questioned.
Nana B further argued that members of the NDC, while in opposition, engaged in similar or even more provocative expressions without facing legal consequences.
He cited instances where cartoons and demonstrations were allegedly used to criticise former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.
He also referenced past media commentary and protest actions, claiming that inflammatory statements made against previous leaders did not result in arrests at the time, raising concerns about what he described as selective justice.
“Can you recall the many cartoons the NDC orchestrated just to cause disaffection for former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former Vice President Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia? Who caused the arrest of those NDC elements?”
“In fact, at one point, they even went on demonstration and chanted that God should kill Nana Addo because they claimed he was destroying the country.”
He further alleged that a journalist, identified as Samuel Huntoh, once made inflammatory remarks on radio, suggesting that if Nana Addo boarded a plane, it should crash and kill him, yet no action was taken.
“Who arrested him?” Nana B quizzed angrily.
The NPP organiser insisted that the current trend threatens Ghana’s democratic principles, warning that the use of security agencies to stifle dissent could erode public confidence in governance and freedom of expression.
There has been no immediate response from the government or the Ghana Police Service regarding the allegations.
By 1960news.com
