NPP Accuses Mahama Administration of Weaponising State Institutions

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the Mahama administration of weaponising state institutions against political opponents, warning that Ghana is “sliding back into a culture of silence.”

Addressing a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, alleged that members of the party have been unlawfully detained, subjected to unreasonable bail conditions, and denied fair treatment by the courts.

“State security agencies continue to flout with impunity the Constitution of Ghana, particularly Article 14, on the grant of bail to persons arrested or detained,” Kodua said. “Under this John Mahama administration, such persons are rather presumed guilty until they prove their innocence.”

The NPP cited recent arrests of party members, including Chairman Wontumi, Adu Boahen, and Osei Assibey Antwi, as examples of what it called targeted persecution.

Kodua also criticised what he described as “judicial complicity,” alleging that the unlawful removal of former Chief Justice Justice Gertrude Araba Torkonoo had instilled fear among judges and compromised judicial independence.

“Judges now fear to dispense justice according to the law because they worry they may suffer the same fate as Justice Torkonoo,” he said.

The NPP further accused Attorney General Dominic Ayine of “abuse of prosecutorial discretion,” claiming he had entered nolle prosequi in at least 10 corruption-related cases involving allies of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“Never in the history of this country have we seen such blatant abuse of prosecutorial discretion. Dominic Ayine is more interested in cutting deals with accused persons to use them as prosecution witnesses against former NPP appointees,” Kodua said.

The party described the situation as a “dangerous erosion of Ghana’s democratic gains,” pointing to the alleged harassment of social media users and journalists critical of government.

“We are witnessing a gradual return of the culture of silence and the era of criminal libel despite its repeal,” the statement read.

Kodua reaffirmed the NPP’s commitment to defending the rule of law and said the party would “not back down” in confronting what it calls growing authoritarianism under the current administration.