Senior Presidential Advisor Joyce Bawah Mogtari has rebuked former Vice President Dr Bawumia over his recent criticism of the arrest of the NPP’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Bosiako, accusing him of political inconsistency and selective advocacy for justice.
The respected lawyer and aide to President John Dramani Mahama acknowledged the Vice President’s expression of concern over the case.
However, she called his sudden defence of due process and the rule of law “somewhat ironic,” pointing out what she described as a pattern of silence in the face of past injustices inflicted on political opponents and ordinary citizens.
“Like you, I believe firmly in the rule of law, constitutionalism, and the fundamental rights of every Ghanaian. These principles form the bedrock of our democracy and must guide the actions of all institutions of state, without fear or favour.”
Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Senior Presidential Advisor and Aide to President Mahama
But Bawah Mogtari’s tone quickly shifted to critique. She highlighted what she sees as a disturbing inconsistency in the application and defence of these democratic values.
She noted that calls for transparency and respect for legal procedures have too often been absent when the victims are not members or allies of the opposition New Patriotic Party.
“Concerns about due process and arbitrary power are being raised now, especially when many Ghanaians, over the last few years, have felt the heavy hand of state institutions acting without transparency or fairness—often in circumstances involving political opponents, civil society actors, or ordinary citizens with no political clout.”
Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Senior Presidential Advisor and Aide to President Mahama
Implications
The implication of her statement was unmistakable. Dr. Bawumia’s concern for Chairman Wontumi’s arrest, though welcome, for Bawah Mogtari, rings hollow when juxtaposed against Dr Bawumia’s apparent silence during previous instances in which opposition figures, critical journalists, and activists were, according to her, subjected to similar or worse treatment by the state.
The arrest of the NPP’s Ashanti Regional Chairman by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), a key figure in the opposition party’s grassroots machinery, has generated widespread debate.
While details remain unclear, his detention reportedly sparked concern among high-ranking NPP officials, with Dr. Bawumia breaking public restraint to issue a statement urging respect for Wontumi’s rights and the observance of due process.
That statement, while praised by some within the NPP, has been met with scepticism by others, particularly in civil society circles, who question why similar energy was not invested in previous incidents involving less politically connected citizens.
While Bawah Mogtari joined the call for transparency in this matter and for Mr. Wontumi’s rights to be respected, she urged consistency in the application of these standards.
For her, justice must not only be demanded when it affects “our own” but it must be upheld for all Ghanaians regardless of party colours or affiliations. Bawah Mogtari’s call is both a political challenge and a moral and democratic appeal to all political actors.
She warned that defending rights selectively erodes public trust in the justice system and weakens the foundations of constitutional democracy.
“Let this moment serve as a turning point, not for selective outrage and justice, but for a renewed commitment to uphold the dignity, rights, and liberties of every citizen.”
Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Senior Presidential Advisor and Aide to President Mahama
The assertion made by Joyce Bawah Mogtari serves as a reminder that the rule of law cannot be applied selectively. Leadership must always be guided by this principle, not just in times of crisis involving political allies.
She emphasized that protecting the weak is the real test of democracy, not how it handles the powerful.
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