 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has issued a stern warning to the government over what he describes as the growing misuse of state security agencies for political intimidation, following a failed attempt to arrest Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Member of Parliament for Assin South.){kind=link}
Former Vice President and 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has issued a stern warning to the government over what he describes as the growing misuse of state security agencies for political intimidation, following a failed attempt to arrest Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Member of Parliament for Assin South.
The incident, which took place on Wednesday, allegedly involved operatives from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) attempting to arrest the MP at his residence. The move has sparked outrage within the opposition party and heightened concerns over the increasing politicisation of Ghana’s security institutions.
Dr. Bawumia, who visited Rev. Fordjour in the aftermath of the incident, condemned the operation, labeling it as an act of “unfortunate political persecution.” He praised the MP’s resilience, saying, “Rev. Fordjour was in high spirit and undaunted.”
In a strongly worded statement, Dr. Bawumia called on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately rein in his security operatives, warning against the dangerous precedent of using state power to intimidate political opponents.
“I wish to reiterate my earlier submission to the President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, to immediately rein in his security operatives. The security institutions of our country must not be reduced to political tools used to harass and intimidate opponents,” he stated.
Dr. Bawumia urged NPP supporters and all Ghanaians to remain calm but vigilant, stressing that the party remains committed to upholding democracy, the rule of law, and political tolerance, despite ongoing provocations.
“Ghanaians will not accept this descent into lawlessness and fear,” he declared.
The attempted arrest has sparked renewed debate about the role and neutrality of state institutions, particularly in the run-up to the December 2024 elections. Civil society groups and legal analysts have also expressed concerns about the potential erosion of democratic freedoms if such incidents continue unchecked.
As tensions rise, political observers are closely monitoring developments, with many calling for independent investigations and stronger oversight to ensure that Ghana’s democratic values are preserved.