Ghanaian opposition lawmaker Sammi Awuku on Monday accused the administration of President John Mahama of selectively applying the law to suppress political dissent, deepening concerns over rule-of-law practices ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Speaking at a protest organized by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Accra, Mr. Awuku, Member of Parliament for Akwapim North, alleged that opposition figures are being subjected to harassment and disproportionately harsh legal consequences, while members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) receive more lenient treatment in similar situations.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Mr. Awuku said during the event, titled “Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna”—translated from Akan as “We’re Not Afraid of Hardship.” “The selective application of the rule of law is sickening.”
The lawmaker cited specific cases where he believes judicial discretion has been inconsistently applied. According to Mr. Awuku, while some high-ranking NDC officials have faced minimal legal repercussions for making inflammatory remarks, opposition party members have been arrested and subjected to stringent bail terms for comparatively minor offenses.
“You will have a Vice Chairman of a ruling party making incendiary comments and threats of bodily harm, yet being granted bail under relaxed conditions,” he said. “In contrast, a regional chairman of the opposition faces jail time and severe bail requirements for remarks the police deem offensive.”
Mr. Awuku’s remarks come amid broader concerns about political freedoms and impartial law enforcement in Ghana. Several civil society organizations have also raised alarms in recent months about potential backsliding in democratic governance.
The Mahama administration has not yet publicly responded to the allegations made at the protest. Government officials have previously maintained that all legal actions taken against political actors are consistent with the country’s laws and constitutional provisions.
Mr. Awuku commended younger members of the NPP for continuing to speak out against what he characterized as intimidation and political pressure, stating that the party would not allow itself to be silenced ahead of the 2026 elections.
“The NPP’s young folks are clear in their minds that they will resist oppressors’ rule, speak against injustice, and push back against the gagging of opposition leaders,” he said.
Ghana, long regarded as one of West Africa’s more stable democracies, has seen rising political tension in recent years, with both major parties trading accusations over press freedom, judicial independence, and electoral fairness. The upcoming elections are expected to be closely contested.
Source:TheDotNews