Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has accused former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of being selective in his criticism of alleged abuse of state power, citing the handling of the SALL disenfranchisement crisis under the previous administration.
In a social media post reacting to Dr. Bawumia’s recent comments on free speech and state intimidation, Franklin Cudjoe argued that the former Vice President failed to speak up when residents of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe (SALL) were left without parliamentary representation for years.
“Well said—but how I wish Dr. Bawumia had shown this same courage and clarity when his own government presided over rendering the people of SALL stateless for nearly five years,” he wrote.
He said the silence of the then-government on the issue undermined democratic principles and deepened the frustrations of affected residents.
“Not a single word of apology then. Not even an acknowledgment, even if his party had decided they would never say sorry,” he added.
The SALL issue emerged after the creation of the Guan Constituency ahead of the 2020 general elections, a development that left voters in the area unable to participate in the parliamentary election and without representation in Parliament for an extended period.
Franklin Cudjoe said it was contradictory for Dr. Bawumia to now present himself as a defender of democratic freedoms after remaining silent during the controversy.
“It is deeply ironic to see him now championing free speech and condemning state intimidation, when his administration remained silent while citizens were stripped of their very identity and belonging,” he stated.
He stressed that democratic accountability should apply equally to all governments regardless of political affiliation.
“The NPP’s silence then was as damaging as the NDC’s actions now,” he argued.
According to him, Ghana’s democracy would only thrive if political leaders consistently condemned abuses of power.
“Dr. Bawumia is right to call out the present wrongs, but justice demands consistency. Accountability cannot be selective,” he said.
He further called for equal scrutiny of both current and former administrations over their handling of democratic and governance issues.
“If he truly believes in a day of reckoning for abuse of state power, let that day also review the NPP’s own record,” he noted.
