By Grace Zigah
The Member of Parliament for Suame, John Darko, has accused the John Dramani Mahama administration of developing a reputation for arresting critics and political opponents, warning that the trend risks eroding the democratic credentials and creating the impression that the government is becoming increasingly intolerant of dissent.
The opposition lawmaker says the growing number of arrests involving social media commentators, political activists and individuals accused of making offensive remarks about the President has raised serious concerns about freedom of expression under the current administration.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue, Mr. Darko argued that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has, within less than two years in office, become more associated with arrests than with protecting democratic freedoms.
“The kind of arrests right now, look, this government has become popular for arresting people,” the Suame legislator stated.
According to him, several individuals have been arrested over comments made on traditional and social media, particularly statements considered offensive or defamatory towards President John Dramani Mahama and other public officials.
Mr. Darko claimed that approximately 14 people had been arrested within the government’s first two years in office over matters largely relating to media publications and social media commentary.
“Somebody posts something and you say it is against the President and then you arrest him. You have arrested 14 people in less than two years. This government is becoming intolerant, and we need to call them out,” he said.
The Suame MP urged journalists, civil society organisations and other democratic institutions not to remain silent, insisting that safeguarding constitutional freedoms is a collective national responsibility.
“The media, everybody in this country must call this government out for becoming intolerant,” he added.
His remarks come amid heightened public debate over recent arrests involving persons linked to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), former government officials and several social media personalities.
Among the cases attracting widespread public attention is the conviction of TikTok content creator Camilla Alhassan, who was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to charges of offensive conduct and publication of false news over videos she posted concerning President Mahama.
The case has generated significant legal and political debate, with opposition figures arguing that the punishment reflects an increasingly restrictive approach to freedom of expression, while others maintain that the conviction resulted from due legal process after the accused admitted to the offences before the court.
The latest comments by John Darko also come against the backdrop of investigations and prosecutions involving some officials who served under the previous New Patriotic Party administration, as the government continues anti-corruption investigations and prosecutions initiated by state investigative agencies.
The NPP has repeatedly argued that some of these arrests amount to political persecution, while government officials have consistently maintained that law enforcement agencies are acting independently and in accordance with the law.
The Mahama administration has also defended its commitment to the rule of law, insisting that no individual is above the law and that persons accused of criminal offences are entitled to fair trials before competent courts.
However, the opposition insists that the increasing number of arrests involving political figures and government critics is creating public anxiety about freedom of speech and political tolerance.
