The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2028 flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged party members to remain calm, disciplined and focused on holding the John Dramani Mahama administration accountable despite what he described as a growing number of arrests involving opposition figures.
Dr Bawumia said the recent arrests do not appear to be isolated incidents but part of what he believes is a wider attempt to intimidate and weaken the opposition.
He, however, advised party supporters not to react in ways that could shift attention away from the challenges facing Ghanaians.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 23, Dr Bawumia appealed to President Mahama to discourage what he described as the arrest and harassment of NPP members.
“The arrests of opposition members by the John Mahama administration are becoming far too frequent. This does not appear to be a coincidence but rather part of a broader effort to harass and weaken opposition to the government,” he stated.
While expressing concern over the arrests, the former Vice-President urged members of the party to remain measured and concentrate on issues affecting the country rather than engage in actions that could distract the public.
“While we respectfully call on His Excellency the President to discourage the arrest and harassment of our members, I urge every member of our party to remain disciplined, measured, and focused on the issues,” he said.
Dr Bawumia argued that the government was looking for opportunities to divert public attention from key national concerns. He said the opposition should instead continue demanding accountability on issues that directly affect the lives of Ghanaians.
“We are dealing with a government that appears eager to seize on the slightest opportunity to divert public attention from its abysmal performance thus far. Ghanaians are demanding answers on the rising cost of living, high youth unemployment, growing concerns about judicial independence and governance, and the failure to deliver on key manifesto promises. These are the issues that matter to Ghanaians, and we must stay focused on them,” he said.
He also cautioned party members against using insults or launching personal attacks, stressing that facts and disciplined advocacy would strengthen the party’s message.
“Let us not hand the government a convenient distraction. Insults weaken our message and divert attention from the government’s failures. Facts, evidence, and disciplined advocacy remain our strongest weapons. Let us stay focused on holding the John Mahama administration accountable and on speaking for the millions of Ghanaians who expect and deserve better performance from the government,” Dr Bawumia added.
His remarks follow recent arrests involving some opposition figures, which have sparked debate over law enforcement actions and democratic accountability in Ghana.
The NPP has repeatedly criticised the arrests, while government officials insist that state institutions operate independently and carry out their duties in accordance with the law.
