The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has strongly criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s government, accusing it of growing intolerance towards dissenting views and criticism.
Speaking to the media at the NPP headquarters in Accra, Kodua Frimpong warned that Ghana’s democratic space risks being threatened under the current administration.
“Let it be on record that the NDC government led by President Mahama has become so intolerable to the extent that it does not welcome divergence or criticism,” he stated.
Freedom of Expression Under Threat?
The NPP General Secretary emphasised that Ghana is a constitutional democracy which guarantees freedom of speech. He argued that citizens, including members of the opposition, must be allowed to express their opinions freely, even when such views are uncomfortable for those in power.
Kodua Frimpong contrasted the current situation with the previous NPP administration under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. He noted that during their tenure, the then-opposition NDC, including President Mahama, frequently subjected the government to sharp and sometimes harsh criticism, yet the administration tolerated such expressions in line with constitutional provisions.
“Our government was tolerant because we understood that we were being governed by the constitution and the rule of law,” he added.
Concerns Over Arrests and Detentions
Kodua Frimpong further alleged that several individuals have recently been arrested and detained without being promptly brought before court, raising serious concerns about due process and the protection of civil liberties.
He called on the authorities to uphold democratic values, safeguard freedom of expression, and ensure that all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation are treated fairly and in accordance with the law.
Rising Political Tensions
The comments from the NPP General Secretary come amid escalating political tensions between the opposition New Patriotic Party and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC). Debates over governance, accountability, and the state of Ghana’s democracy continue to intensify in recent weeks.
The NPP has increasingly positioned itself as a defender of democratic freedoms as it holds the current administration accountable.
Editor:
Obiri-Yeboah
