Allegations of political intimidation and the erosion of free speech are fueling heated discussions across Ghana and resonating with watchers across West Africa, including Nigeria. The main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has voiced strong concerns over what it perceives as a systematic campaign by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to suppress dissent and target notable critics.
Drawing parallels to infamous periods in African political history, the NPP claims that Ghana is slipping back into an era commonly described as the “dark days of culture of silence”. The party’s leaders, speaking to journalists and party supporters, allege that President John Dramani Mahama is behaving like a “supreme leader”, wielding state apparatus to quell voices of opposition as security agencies reportedly assist in targeting adversaries.
These allegations came to the forefront during a recent press conference held on Friday, September 19. Salam Mustapha, the National Youth Organiser of the NPP, called attention to a string of arrests that have made headlines in Ghana and sparked debate among activists, legal experts, and ordinary citizens alike. Among those detained were Bernard Antwi Boasiako (popularly known as Chairman Wontumi), a regional party chairman; social media influencer Fante Comedy; and more recently, Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC), who chairs the party’s Bono region.
salam-mustapha
Mustapha argued that these arrests stand in sharp contrast to how NDC members are reportedly treated. He cited incidents in which alleged threats and violence against NPP leaders seemingly received minimal attention or punishment. For example, Mustapha referenced accusations that Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and party third Vice Chairman Alhaji Osman Masawudu were subjected to intimidation and even physical assault. Specifically, he alleged that NDC National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Awudu Sofo Azorka, had a hand in one such attack, yet faced no immediate repercussions.
These assertions, while strongly worded, reflect broader anxieties present not only in Ghana but throughout many democracies in West Africa, where opposition voices often allege politically motivated crackdowns during election seasons. According to Mustapha:
Ghana is a democracy and not an autocracy with a supreme leader. If you are elected with an overwhelming majority on the basis of lofty promises, it does not make you the supreme leader that we are seeing in John Dramani Mahama today. The culture of silence is coming back, the dreaded culture of silence that the antecedents of the NDC took us through in the dark days.
The youth organiser also voiced worries that Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of democratic stability in West Africa is now at risk. He warned against complacency, stating that the fundamental right to free speech and expression, long considered a cornerstone of Ghanaian society, is allegedly being chipped away.
It is beginning to be reintroduced in Ghana. Today, people are getting scared to express themselves, to go on social media, to write, or to have conversations on TikTok, because the president has told us that they have technology to crack down on citizens.
These developments come at a time when several West African countries are grappling with questions around civil liberties, political expression, and the rule of law. While the specifics in Ghana are local, the broader implications are significant for Nigerians and others in the region who value democratic principles. According to “Africa in Transition,” a think-tank report, perceived government overreach and suppression of opposition have fueled cycles of unrest and stifled development in various African countries.
Nigerians watching events in Accra have drawn parallels to episodes in their own history, such as the experience under military rule or controversial crackdowns on #EndSARS protesters. The lessons are clear for both activists and policymakers: the vigilance of the public and robust checks on government power help safeguard freedom.
As part of their response, Salam Mustapha and the NPP leadership have called upon the youth to actively participate in a protest planned for September 23. Mustapha described this protest as an urgent necessity, framing it as a civic obligation to oppose what he termed as “growing tyranny.”
Legal experts in Ghana have weighed in, noting that while governments have the right to maintain public order, any action perceived as targeting political opponents or restricting fundamental freedoms risks undermining both domestic and international confidence in the nation’s democratic system.
“Whenever high-profile arrests disproportionately affect opposition members, it raises questions about the impartiality of the security agencies,” explained Dr. Kofi Osei, a constitutional law lecturer at the University of Ghana. “The best safeguard is transparency and equitable enforcement of the law.”
Historically, Ghanaians have shown resilience against policies or practices deemed repressive. From the period of military rule in the 1970s and ’80s, through the pro-democracy movements that swept the country in the 1990s, civil society organizations have repeatedly stepped up to defend rights. Similarly, in Nigeria, the transition from authoritarian governance to democracy was marked by robust demands for accountability—providing a cautionary tale and inspiration for activists and leaders facing today’s challenges.
On social media, many West Africans have expressed solidarity with Ghanaians concerned about free speech. According to a Lagos-based civic activist, “Political freedom anywhere in West Africa sets a benchmark for the entire sub-region. We’re following closely, because these issues know no borders.”
Meanwhile, some Ghanaians push back against the NPP’s critique, arguing that law enforcement has a responsibility to address potentially inflammatory speech or illegal actions, regardless of political affiliations. They urge all parties to respect due process and prioritize peace ahead of upcoming elections.
Ghana’s ongoing tensions highlight universal questions about democracy, power, and accountability. As similar dynamics play out from Abuja to Pretoria and beyond, the vigilance of citizens, media, and institutions will shape how future generations remember this era. The stakes—a robust, inclusive democracy or a retreat into repression—are relevant far beyond any single country’s borders.
As Ghanaians, Nigerians, and other Africans consider these events, the questions ripple out: What lessons can neighboring countries learn from Ghana’s current political climate? Can citizens meaningfully push back against perceived injustice? And will leaders listen?
What’s your perspective? Have you experienced or observed similar issues in your community? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and join the conversation—your voice matters in the fight for accountable governance.
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