The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has mounted a fierce protest against what it describes as growing harassment and “state-sponsored intimidation” under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, accusing the government of weaponising state institutions to target political opponents.
The protest dubbed “Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna”—literally translated as “We Don’t Fear Intimidation”—took place in Accra on Tuesday, September 23, drawing hundreds of party supporters clad in red, blue and white, and wielding placards that demanded justice, fairness, and an end to what they termed selective justice.
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From the break of dawn, the Obra Spot at Kwame Nkrumah Circle became the staging ground of the demonstration.
With police heavily deployed along the designated routes, protesters marched through the streets with chants and songs, while senior NPP figures led the way.
Though tensions ran high, the demonstration itself remained largely peaceful, with security personnel ensuring calm as placards bore inscriptions such as “Justice for All, Not Some”, “Stop Harassing NPP”, and “Democracy Under Threat.”
Protesters marched under the hot Accra sun, chanting songs of resistance, their voices echoing through the city streets.
The route took them first to the Ghana Police Service headquarters, where they delivered a petition to Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and then onward to the Jubilee House, where another petition was presented to President Mahama, received on his behalf by Alex Segbefia, Chief of Staff to the Vice President.
Accusations of political persecution
The NPP accused the government of orchestrating systematic harassment of opposition members, journalists, and social media activists critical of the administration.
According to the petition, political persecution has intensified since January 7, 2025, when the Mahama administration assumed office, leading to what the party described as the suppression of dissent and a creeping return to the “culture of silence.”
The NPP alleged that state institutions such as the police, Judiciary, National Security, EOCO, and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) have been weaponized, not to fight illegal mining or insecurity in flashpoint areas like Bawku and Nkwanta, but to intimidate political opponents and silence critical voices.
The party catalogued a series of arrests it deemed unlawful and politically motivated.
It cited the detention of NPP social media activist Daniel Adomako, known as “Sir-Obama Pokuase,” who the police claimed was only assisting in an investigation, as well as the arrests of journalist Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, Wontumi TV’s Agyenkwaa Nana Kofi Asare and Gordon Asare Bediako, and several TikTokers including FanteComedy, Yayra Adiw, and Priscilla Duah Birago.
In one instance, the petition alleged, young activists were transferred from Kumasi to Accra and held for 96 hours before being taken to court.
Perhaps the most striking case, the petition said, was the “Rambo-style” arrest of Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, over comments deemed insulting to the IGP.
The NPP argued that if the IGP felt defamed, the remedy should have been through a civil action, not criminal prosecution, warning that the criminalization of speech has no place in a democracy, especially after Ghana repealed its criminal libel law in 2001.
The petition also decried what it called state-sponsored dawn raids on the homes of former government officials, allegedly carried out by National Security and NIB operatives, some of whom were accused of theft during such operations.
It further accused the police of routinely breaching Article 14 of the Constitution by detaining suspects for more than 48 hours and imposing bail conditions so exorbitant that they effectively deny freedom.
As examples, the party pointed to the GH¢50 million bail imposed on Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi) and the GH¢80 million bail placed on former Buffer Stock CEO Abdul-Wahab Hanan Aludiba and his wife.
The NPP insisted that these developments reflect a disturbing pattern where opposition figures are presumed guilty until proven innocent.
The judiciary, it added, has failed to serve as a check on the executive following what it described as the unlawful removal of Chief Justice Araba Torkonoo, which has created an atmosphere of fear among judges.
Beyond these accusations, the NPP said its earlier petition to the police over acts of violence allegedly perpetrated by NDC Vice Chairman Sofo Azorka and Abuakwa North Constituency Communications Officer Abdul Wahab Amadu during the Akwatia by-election has been ignored, despite what the party described as clear evidence of assault against its senior officials.
The party is demanding an immediate halt to what it calls political persecution, the harassment of journalists and activists, and the continuous criminalization of speech.
It called on the police to account for its handling of cases involving NDC figures and demanded the arrest of Abdul Wahab Amadu for threatening opposition leaders.
It also urged the judiciary to reclaim its independence, asserting that equality before the law must apply to all citizens, whether “an IGP or an Abronye.”
Finally, the petition appealed to civil society organizations, religious leaders, traditional authorities, and the international community to take note of what it described as “growing state-sponsored tyranny.”
The NPP stressed that it remained resolute in defending the rule of law and restoring public trust in Ghana’s democratic institutions.
Nana B: “Weaponisation of state institutions”
The party’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, was among the most vocal critics during the protest.
Addressing the media, he warned that Ghana’s democracy was in decline under Mahama’s leadership.
“What we are seeking to achieve is to send a signal to President Mahama, to let him know that he was elected as president of the country to defend democracy. The level at which our democracy is descending is worrying,” Nana B declared.
He accused the administration of practicing selective justice, applying different standards of the law depending on political affiliation.
“The fact that there is a change in government does not mean that you weaponise state institutions, orchestrate things against your opponents,” he added.
Citing examples, Nana B alleged that individuals such as Ralph St. Williams, who had allegedly caused disturbances in hospitals, and Chief Sofo Azorka, who was accused of violence during the Akwatia by-election, had escaped meaningful accountability, while NPP members faced harsher treatment.
“Do we have a different set of laws for the NPP and other laws for the NDC?” he asked pointedly.
Sammi Awuku: “Injustice anywhere is a threat”
Member of Parliament for Akwapim North, Sammi Awuku, echoed these sentiments in a fiery address to demonstrators.
He accused the Mahama administration of deliberately silencing dissent and using intimidation to weaken the opposition.
“Today, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. The selective application of the rule of law and the laws of our country is sickening,” Awuku said, borrowing from Martin Luther King Jr.
He contrasted the treatment of NDC leaders with that of NPP officials.
“You will have a Vice-Chairman of a ruling party making incendiary comments and attacks, threatening bodily harm and the elimination of opposition figures. He’s called over tea or coffee, and he’s granted bail.
“Then you have the regional chairman of the opposition party make comments that the police find offensive, and the person is put behind bars with draconian bail conditions,” he lamented.
Awuku further praised the NPP’s youth for standing firm in the face of what he described as harassment and intimidation.
“I’m happy that the NPP’s young folks have risen to the occasion… We will not allow oppressors’ rule, harassment, intimidation, or the gagging of opposition leaders,” he vowed.
Salam Mustapha’s warning to police
The party’s National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, also raised concerns about the credibility of the Ghana Police Service. He warned that continued bias and selective enforcement could damage the integrity of the institution irreparably.
“If this trend continues, the police leadership risks damaging the reputation and trust of the entire service,” Salam Mustapha cautioned, adding that impartial law enforcement was crucial to Ghana’s stability.
