New Patriotic Party flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has accused the governing National Democratic Congress of overseeing what he describes as a sustained assault on free speech and the rights of opposition supporters in Ghana.
In a statement issued in Accra on Wednesday, 13th May 2026, Dr Bawumia said arrests, detentions and what he called “unconscionable bail conditions” had become a recurring feature since the NDC took office on 7th January 2025.
He pointed to recent cases, including the arrest and brief detention of social media user David Essandoh, who reportedly commented on the return of dumsor, as well as the custody of the New Patriotic Party’s Bono regional chairman, Kwame Baffoe Abronye.
Dr Bawumia said these actions were “undermining free speech” and accused the government of setting Ghana’s democratic progress backwards. He also alleged what he called “an unholy collaboration” between the executive, state investigative bodies and elements of the judiciary to intimidate political opponents.
He warned that those involved in abuse of state power would one day be held accountable.
“To patriots around the country, I urge you all to stay firm by refusing to succumb to intimidation while continuing your civic duty to hold the government accountable,” he said, adding that Ghana’s democracy had been hard won and must not be surrendered to intimidation.
