The Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda and former Deputy Minister for Health Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has commended the Flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mahamudu Bawumia, for publicly condemning what he described as the growing arrest and intimidation of NPP members by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
According to the Akyem Oda legislator, Dr. Bawumia’s statement would embolden the youth and other well-meaning Ghanaians to continue speaking out against wrongdoing and holding government accountable despite what he called attempts to criminalise free speech and suppress dissent through the use of state institutions.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen programme on Wednesday, May 13, Mr. Acquah argued that the current political atmosphere under the NDC administration reflects increasing intolerance toward criticism and opposition voices.
His comments follow a statement issued by Dr. Bawumia on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in which the NPP flagbearer accused the NDC government of undermining democracy and free expression through politically motivated arrests, intimidation, and harassment of opposition figures.
In the statement, Dr. Bawumia expressed concern over what he described as an “endless assault” on the rights of NPP officers, activists, and supporters since the NDC assumed office on January 7, 2025.
He cited the arrest and detention of social media commentator David Essandoh, who reportedly criticised the return of persistent power outages popularly known as “dumsor,” as well as the detention of NPP Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe Abronye, as examples of what he described as political persecution.
Dr. Bawumia warned that such actions posed a threat to Ghana’s democratic credentials and constitutional freedoms, stressing that public officials involved in the abuse of state power would eventually be held accountable for their conduct.
He also urged supporters and sympathisers of the NPP to remain resolute and continue demanding accountability from government despite what he termed growing intimidation and harassment.
Reacting to the statement, Mr. Acquah said he was particularly inspired by the concluding portions of Dr. Bawumia’s message, especially the warning directed at public officials accused of abusing state authority.
“I am very happy that our flagbearer has issued such a statement. In fact, if you read the statement carefully, the last two paragraphs are what really enthused me,” he stated during the interview.
According to him, many Ghanaians who chose not to vote in the last election are now regretting their decision, insisting that the NDC’s overwhelming parliamentary majority did not necessarily translate into a significantly larger vote margin compared to previous elections.
He argued that while in opposition, members and supporters of the NDC often made provocative statements and harsh criticisms against the then NPP government without facing arrests or legal action.
Mr. Acquah claimed that recent arrests involving NPP communicators and activists point to a broader pattern of political intolerance under the current administration.
He further alleged that government supporters on social media routinely attack and insult critics of the government, while individuals who can easily be targeted by security agencies are arrested.
“If you go on social media and make a post about the government, the kind of insults and attacks you receive in the comments are even worse than being physically arrested,” he said.
The Akyem Oda MP also cautioned security personnel and public officials against blindly carrying out politically motivated instructions, reminding them that political power is temporary and that individuals must eventually account for their actions.
“You may be a police officer today operating under instructions to arrest people just to please your bosses, but you must remember that power is not permanent,” he stated.
“You arresting someone does not mean you are the strongest person. It is because of the authority and uniform entrusted to you by the people. One day, you will account for how you used that power.”
Mr. Acquah maintained that unlike what he described as the restraint shown by the previous NPP administration while in office, future governments may investigate incidents involving alleged abuse of power and hold those responsible accountable.
He added that the existence of social media records means statements and actions made by politicians while in opposition remain accessible and could be revisited in the future.
“Because of social media, everything the NDC said while in opposition is still there. If they now claim criticism of government is a crime, then they should remember that crime has no expiry date,” he asserted.
The comments by the Akyem Oda MP add to the growing political tension between the NPP and the governing NDC over accusations of intimidation, abuse of state institutions, and shrinking space for political dissent in the country.
By 1960news.com
