The New Patriotic Party (NPP) spokesperson for Gender and Social Protection, Akosua Manu, has accused the administration of President John Dramani Mahama of using arrests and stringent bail conditions to intimidate political opponents and suppress dissent.
Speaking on recent political developments, Manu alleged that the arrests of some government critics appeared aimed at discouraging opposition voices rather than promoting accountability.
According to her, the opposition remains the strongest critic of the current administration, and she claimed the government was attempting to limit opportunities for public scrutiny.
“They are arresting dissenters and imposing excessive bail conditions to silence critics. The opposition is their loudest critic, and they believe they already have control over much of the media, while some civil society organisations that would ordinarily speak out have also been muted,” she said.
Manu argued that democratic governance requires citizens, opposition parties and civil society organisations to express dissenting views without fear of intimidation, stressing that open debate and accountability are essential for strengthening democratic institutions.
She further claimed that the government’s actions could create an environment in which constitutional changes, including those relating to presidential tenure, might be pursued. However, she did not present evidence that any formal process to amend Ghana’s Constitution or alter presidential term limits had begun.
The NPP spokesperson urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and continue holding elected officials accountable through democratic processes, encouraging active public participation in discussions on governance and constitutional issues.
Manu also cited the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, saying the development had sparked increased public debate and scrutiny of the Mahama administration.
Additionally, she argued that some of the government’s key campaign promises, including the proposed 24-hour economy and job creation initiatives, have yet to be fully implemented.
She said the administration should prioritize delivering on its policy commitments while addressing concerns raised by the opposition.
Manu further alleged that some members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) privately opposed discussions about any possible extension of presidential tenure but were unwilling to express their views publicly. She did not provide evidence to support the allegation.
“Even within their party (NDC), there are people against the third-term agenda plan, but they just can’t say it because most of them are still waiting for appointments, so they can’t criticise it, but they know for sure that it’s a bad idea,” she said.
She emphasized that any future proposal to amend constitutional provisions relating to presidential tenure should undergo broad public consultation and democratic scrutiny.
Manu also called on state institutions to perform their duties independently and in accordance with the rule of law, arguing that public confidence in democratic institutions depends on fairness, transparency and accountability.
The Mahama administration had not publicly responded to Manu’s allegations at the time this report was filed.
