Abronye DC’s Arrest Part of Systematic Persecution – Says Minority

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the Mahama-led government to immediately end what it describes as political persecution, abuse of power, and disregard for due process targeted at opposition figures.

In a statement signed by the Second Deputy Whip, Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, the Minority condemned the arrest and remand of Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Mr. Baffoe was arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court on Monday and remanded into police custody until Friday, September 12, 2025, on charges of alleged “offensive conduct conducive to a breach of the peace.” The Minority insists the case represents a “disturbing pattern” of the judicial system being weaponised against perceived opponents of the government.

According to the statement, “The denial of bail and his remand clearly suggest punishment, not justice. This vague and overly broad application of the law falls far short of international standards of legal specificity.” The caucus further noted that Mr. Baffoe’s arrest comes after he sought political asylum in eight countries, citing threats to his life.

The Minority said the arrest is part of a wider campaign of suppression that includes, Harassment of journalists, social commentators, and opposition figures, Deployment of state security to intimidate citizens exposing corruption and a growing climate of fear that silences free expression.

Beyond political persecution, the caucus expressed grave concern over government neglect of pressing national challenges. It pointed to the worsening humanitarian crisis in northern Ghana, where at least 31 lives have been lost to communal violence, nearly 50,000 displaced, and over 13,000 forced to flee into Côte d’Ivoire.

“It is an indictment of a government that has abandoned its basic duty to protect its people,” the Minority said, accusing the administration of using “political witch-hunts as a smokescreen” to deflect attention from the crisis.

The statement also raised alarm over what it described as escalating threats against opposition leaders, including Minority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Chief Whip Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, and NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B). It cited reports of assassination plots allegedly linked to NDC executives, warning that the state’s silence poses a serious danger to democratic tolerance.

“The Ghana Police Service must rise above partisanship and guarantee protection for all political actors, regardless of affiliation,” the Minority demanded.

Concluding, the caucus accused the Mahama government of “abandoning its constitutional obligations” in favour of “authoritarian consolidation,” warning that judicial persecution, executive overreach, and security failures are eroding Ghana’s democracy.

“We remain resolute in our commitment to uphold the rule of law, protect human rights, and restore public trust in our democratic institutions. Ghana’s democracy is too precious to be surrendered to fear, intimidation, and authoritarian excess,” the statement added.