By Daniel Bampoe
Tensions between the two leading political parties have escalated once again, as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) accuses the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of deploying state security forces to persecute opposition members in what the NPP describes as a “calculated assault on democracy and the rule of law.”
In a strongly worded press release dated Friday, May 23, 2025, the NPP condemned what it termed a “growing pattern of politically motivated intimidation and harassment” orchestrated through the misuse of state security institutions, particularly the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and the Ghana Police Service.
Arrest of Adenta Kumi Sparks Outrage
Central to the NPP’s accusations is the dramatic early-morning arrest of Alfred Ababio Kumi—popularly known as Adenta Kumi—a grassroots NPP activist.
According to the party, at around 5:30 AM on Friday, heavily armed men believed to be NIB operatives stormed Kumi’s home in Adenta.
Six of the officers allegedly wore masks and were armed with AK-47 rifles.
The NPP insists that the arrest is politically motivated and stems directly from Kumi’s recent petition to President John Dramani Mahama.
In that petition, Kumi demanded the dissolution of the presidential committee reviewing the removal petitions against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, who is currently under suspension pending a formal probe.
The party believes the arrest was intended to intimidate dissenters and discourage public scrutiny of the executive’s actions.
“This is a clear affront to democratic accountability,” the NPP stated. “Instead of addressing the concerns raised through due process, the state is using brute force to silence voices of concern.”
Armed Officers Storm Wontumi’s Home
In a related incident, the residence of Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako—commonly known as Chairman Wontumi—was reportedly invaded by armed security personnel on Friday morning.
This followed a May 19 invitation from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) asking Wontumi to assist in an investigation.
According to the NPP, Wontumi had already communicated that he would be unavailable on the proposed date, May 21, due to health reasons, and had scheduled to meet investigators on Monday, May 26.
The party described the storming of his home despite this correspondence as “unwarranted and politically motivated.”
“This is nothing short of harassment,” the party stated, adding that the use of force in cases where dialogue and protocol have been observed undermines the professionalism and impartiality expected of national security agencies.
Broader Pattern of Political Targeting
These events come against the backdrop of heightened political friction following President Mahama’s controversial suspension of Chief Justice Torkornoo—a move that has triggered debates about judicial independence and executive overreach.
Critics have pointed to what they call an emerging trend of intolerance for opposition dissent, using state power as a tool for retribution.
The NPP says these arrests fit into a broader pattern aimed at weakening political opposition and sending a chilling message to civil society. “Such actions violate the fundamental rights of Ghanaian citizens and endanger the principles of transparency, justice, and equal protection under the law,” the party warned.
Calls for National Condemnation
The NPP is calling on civil society organizations, international observers, and ordinary Ghanaians to speak out against what it terms “state-sponsored political persecution.”
“We urge all defenders of democracy to reject this creeping authoritarianism,” the release concluded.
The NDC government has not yet publicly responded to the allegations. However, political analysts warn that if not addressed swiftly, such incidents could further polarize the country ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, signed off the release, urging for national vigilance in preserving the gains of Ghana’s democracy.
