, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has condemned what he describes as an “unfortunate political persecution” following a failed attempt by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to arrest NPP Member of Parliament, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour.){kind=link}
Former Vice President and 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has condemned what he describes as an “unfortunate political persecution” following a failed attempt by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to arrest NPP Member of Parliament, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour.
The attempted arrest, which occurred on Wednesday at the MP’s residence, was met with fierce resistance from the Minority caucus in Parliament, who have denounced the move as politically motivated and a threat to parliamentary independence.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour, who represents the Assin South constituency and serves as the Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee, has come under scrutiny after making serious allegations that two aircraft which recently landed in Ghana may have been involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. The NIB has since indicated that the MP is needed to assist in ongoing investigations linked to these claims.
In a show of support, Dr. Bawumia visited the embattled MP on Wednesday night. In a statement posted to social media, he praised Rev. Fordjour’s resilience, saying, “Rev. Fordjour was in high spirit and undaunted.”
Dr. Bawumia used the opportunity to call for calm among members and supporters of the NPP, while urging Ghanaians to remain steadfast in the face of what he views as state-sponsored intimidation.
“I urge all party faithful to remain composed in the face of this unfortunate political persecution,” he stated.
The incident has sparked renewed debate over the role of Ghana’s security agencies, with critics warning against their politicisation, especially in the run-up to the December 2024 elections. Civil society organisations and legal experts have called for transparency and adherence to due process in handling such sensitive cases involving elected officials.
The government is yet to issue an official response to Dr. Bawumia’s comments, though the NIB maintains that the MP’s cooperation is essential for the integrity of their investigations.
As the political climate heats up, this latest development adds fuel to already heightened tensions, with the NPP and its leadership vowing to stand firm in defense of democratic principles and political accountability.