The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Wassa Amenfi East Constituency has condemned alleged incidents of physical assault, threats and harassment against social media communicators who have raised questions about the performance and conduct of public officials in the area.
The party has called on the Ghana Police Service to investigate the reported incidents impartially, while urging political leaders to discourage violence and intimidation against individuals exercising their right to freedom of expression.
In a press statement dated October 12, 2026, the NPP expressed concern over alleged incidents involving two social media communicators, Mr Gidolph, popularly known as Awake, and Kwadjo Mega.
According to the party, the incidents followed public commentary on the performance of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Amenfi East, Nicholas Amankwah, and questions concerning the reported absence of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Raymond Nana Ebbah, from a Public Accounts Committee hearing.
The party maintained that criticism of public officials and demands for accountability were legitimate democratic practices that should not expose individuals to threats, harassment or physical attacks.
The NPP alleged that Mr Gidolph, popularly known as Awake, was physically attacked by an individual identified as Ogambo, whom the party described as an executive of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the branch level.
The statement indicated that the alleged incident occurred following Awake’s criticism of the performance of the Amenfi East MP.
The party further stated that the matter had reportedly been reported to the Wassa Akropong Police Command and called for a thorough investigation to establish the facts and determine whether any offence had been committed.
“We therefore urge the Ghana Police Service to investigate the matter impartially and take appropriate action in accordance with the law should the allegations be substantiated,” the statement said.
The NPP did not indicate whether any arrest had been made or whether the police had reached a conclusion regarding the alleged assault.
The party stressed that the allegations should be addressed through the appropriate legal processes rather than through political confrontation.
The NPP also raised concerns over alleged verbal attacks and intimidating telephone calls directed at Kwadjo Mega, a social media activist who operates a TikTok account under that name.
According to the statement, Mega, whom the party identified as an NPP polling station communications officer, allegedly faced the harassment after questioning the MCE’s reported absence from a Public Accounts Committee hearing on grounds of ill health.
The party said the questions arose following the circulation of a social media video that appeared to show Mr Ebbah participating in road construction activities around the same period.
However, the NPP cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions from the video, acknowledging that the circumstances surrounding the MCE’s absence required factual clarification.
“The Party recognises that the circumstances surrounding the MCE’s absence require factual clarification and does not presume that the circulating video, by itself, establishes any wrongdoing,” the statement said.
It argued that questions concerning public officials’ attendance at official proceedings, explanations for their absence and performance of their duties were legitimate matters of public interest.
The party added that where apparent inconsistencies arose in information concerning public officials, the appropriate response was to provide verifiable explanations rather than resort to intimidation.
“Where public information appears inconsistent, the appropriate response is to provide clarification and verifiable facts, rather than resort to intimidation or confrontation,” it stated.
The party maintained that citizens, journalists and political communicators must be able to question public officials without fear of violence, threats or harassment.
It argued that holding public office carries responsibilities of transparency, accountability and responsiveness to legitimate public concerns.
“Political differences must never be used to justify attacks on individuals exercising their freedom of expression,” the statement said.
However, the NPP also urged political communicators and members of the public to exercise their freedoms responsibly, stressing that criticism should not descend into threats, defamation or other unlawful conduct.
It called on the NDC leadership in Wassa Amenfi East to publicly discourage violence, intimidation and harassment among its members and sympathisers.
The party further urged individuals who believed they had been unfairly criticised or subjected to inaccurate claims to seek redress through lawful and peaceful means.
“Any person who considers a statement unfair or inaccurate should pursue lawful and peaceful means of redress,” the statement added.
The NPP statement also referred to previous public criticisms and allegations reportedly made by Mr Ebbah against his predecessor, Frederick Korankye, concerning alleged payments involving operators of illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.
The party cited the matter to underscore what it described as the need for consistent standards of accountability and freedom of expression, regardless of political affiliation.
It maintained that public officials and political actors who scrutinise the conduct of others should also be prepared to respond to legitimate questions about their own performance and actions.
“The same standards of accountability and freedom of expression must apply to everyone,” the statement said.
The NPP, however, did not provide further details about the earlier allegations or indicate their outcome.
The party called on the Ghana Police Service to investigate the reported incidents professionally and impartially, free from political interference, and ensure that all parties were treated fairly under the law.
It also urged the Amenfi East MP and MCE to address legitimate public concerns through transparent communication, factual explanations and constructive engagement with residents.
The NPP further appealed to traditional authorities, religious leaders and civil society organisations to promote tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful political engagement in the constituency.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting its members through lawful means, the party said it would not encourage retaliation but would pursue accountability where evidence established wrongdoing.
“We will neither encourage retaliation nor accept a political environment in which individuals are allegedly threatened or attacked for raising questions about public officials,” the statement said.
The party emphasised that Wassa Amenfi East belonged to all residents, irrespective of their political affiliations, and urged stakeholders to work together to protect peace, uphold the rule of law and safeguard democratic accountability.
“Public accountability must not be met with intimidation. Political disagreement must never become an excuse for violence,” the statement maintained.
By Henry Eliud Yankey
