I have observed with deep concern and utter disappointment the arrest of Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). His arrest is not only an affront to his fundamental rights as a citizen, but it also raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to democratic principles and freedom of expression.
Let me be clear: while I strongly condemn the insults Abronye directed at the Inspector-General of Police or any other person, which are indeed unacceptable, the substantive issues he raised fall squarely within the domain of the Police Service to investigate and address. Selective justice remains the greatest threat to democracy.
How is it that when Osofo Azorka issued death threats against the Minority Leader of Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, he was left to walk freely? How is it that the same Azorka could orchestrate the assault of our 3rd Vice Chairman, Alhaji Osman Masawudu, and yet still roams without consequence? Is he above the law? Why then should Abronye be treated differently? These glaring double standards expose the clear political motivations behind his arrest.
Even more disturbing is the manner in which this arrest was carried out. If Abronye had been officially invited to appear before the Police on Monday, why then did armed Police personnel storm the residence of our former Greater Accra Regional Youth Organizer, Moses Abhor, on Sunday, falsely claiming they were searching for Abronye? Today’s statement by the Police makes it clear that the entire exercise was a calculated attempt to harass and intimidate our former Youth Organizer. This demonstrates beyond doubt the intimidation, harassment, and political agenda driving the actions of this government.
In a democracy like Ghana, dissenting voices, no matter how uncomfortable must be protected, not persecuted. The deliberate attempt to intimidate and silence political opponents through arbitrary arrests undermines the very foundation of our democracy and risks eroding the trust of citizens in the institutions of state.
Let it be made known: democracy thrives on diversity of opinion, not uniformity imposed through fear. Any government that attempts to silence the minority through such acts must be reminded that the true strength of democracy lies in tolerance, dialogue, and respect for rights not intimidation.
The arrest of Abronye DC is nothing short of political witch-hunting and a crude display of selective justice. It exposes a government that fears the voices of its own citizens and resorts to intimidation when confronted with the truth. Such acts are the hallmarks of weak leadership, not a government confident in its legitimacy.
We will not sit idly by while the hard-won freedoms of Ghanaians are trampled upon. If government continues down this path of repression, it will awaken a political resistance far greater than it imagines. Ghana’s democracy was not handed to us on a silver platter; it was fought for, and we will defend it at all cost.
I therefore caution government to immediately desist from these deliberate attempts to gag the minority and opposition voices. Ghana’s democracy has been built with sweat and sacrifice, and it cannot and will not be traded for authoritarian tendencies.
John Boadu
Former General Secretary – NPP
