Amid allegations of political prosecution, Hon. John Ntim Fordjour has drawn a sharp contrast between the current Mahama-led administration and the previous government under President Akufo-Addo.
He highlighted the significant differences in how the opposition was treated during both administrations, lamenting the intimation of the opposition in the current government.
Hon. Fordjour praised the leadership of the Akufo-Addo government, noting its remarkable approach over the past eight years.
“In the eight years of extraordinary leadership of President Akufo-Addo, no opposition MP was harassed by the state security apparatus for demanding probes in the discharge of their parliamentary oversight.”
Hon. John Ntim Fordjour
This comes in response to the attempted arrest of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South and Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defense and Interior on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, which sparked a heated political debate.
Fordjour, who has been at the forefront of demanding accountability from the government, revealed that the attempted arrest on the 9th of April was a result of his call for an investigation into several urgent issues concerning public interest.
He described the situation as deeply worrying, especially for the state of Ghana’s democracy.
While reflecting on the recent events, Fordjour shared a significant gesture of support he received from President Akufo-Addo.
“Yesterday, as the former President of the Republic HE Nana Akufo-Addo placed a call to me and conveyed his kind thoughts to me and my family, following the needless invasion of our home without a warrant by men purportedly sent by the government for raising matters of serious concerns worth probing on behalf of the Minority Caucus, I came to appreciate the more, how tolerance shapes our democracy.”
Hon. John Ntim Fordjour
According to Fordjour, the former president’s call was not just an act of solidarity but a demonstration of the democratic values he believes are at risk in the current political climate.
Fordjour criticized President Mahama’s administration for its intolerance in responding to a straightforward press statement from the Minority Caucus, which called for investigations into critical national issues.
He described the government’s treatment of the opposition as a “major setback in Ghana’s democratic pursuit.”
Fordjour emphasized that the response from President Mahama to the Minority’s request for probes into urgent public matters was “unprecedented” in its level of intolerance.
He also reminded Ghanaians that this is not just a political disagreement but a threat to the very democratic values the country holds dear.
“This is indeed beyond the culture of silence. Truth will stand always!” he concluded, asserting that the truth would inevitably prevail despite the government’s efforts to silence it.
Call for Restraint Amid Fordjour’s Attempted Arrest
In response to these developments, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Vice President, also called on President Mahama to rein in security operatives and ensure that state institutions are not misused for political gain.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized that state institutions should never be reduced to political tools that are used to harass and intimidate political opponents.
He condemned the attempted raid on Fordjour’s residence, stating that such actions have no place in a democratic society.
“Last night, following the attempted raid by some alleged officials of the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), I visited Hon. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South and Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior. Rev. Fordjour was in high spirits and undaunted. I urge all Party faithful to remain calm, steadfast, and law-abiding in this period of unfortunate political persecution.”
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Dr. Bawumia’s support for Fordjour is a stark contrast to the actions taken by the current administration, reflecting a growing concern that the political environment in Ghana is becoming increasingly repressive.
Dr. Bawumia warned that Ghanaians would not remain passive as the country risks slipping into lawlessness and unnecessary political prosecution.
He stressed that democracy relies on due process and the rule of law, reminding the public that political power must never infringe on civil liberties or democratic rights.
His remarks reflect a rising concern among many Ghanaians that the current political climate is straying from democratic principles.
The attempted arrest and the ensuing backlash underscore a troubling trend in Ghana’s political scene, where actions against political opponents are being labeled as political prosecution.
As Fordjour and Bawumia continue to call for restraint and adherence to democratic principles, it is clear that the question of political persecution and the abuse of state power will remain a key issue across various regimes, as it was in the Akufo-Addo administration.
As the dust settles on this controversial incident, one thing is certain: the protection of free speech, democratic rights, and the rule of law remains crucial to the future of Ghana’s democracy.
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