In any developing democracy like ours, the people we elect into office to represent the citizenry must be seen to be effective, free to ask difficult questions, raise concerns, and speak truth to power without fear or favour.
These mandates handed over to them by the people are not privileges to exercise; they are fundamentals of democratic governance. That is why the events of Wednesday, April 9, 2025, are of particular concern.
Reports indicate that officials from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) attempted to arrest Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, a sitting Member of Parliament, at his private residence in Accra.
The reports also indicated that no warrant was presented or formal charges were laid. The attempted arrest was only foiled after timely intervention by members of the Minority in Parliament, who described the action as unlawful and politically motivated.
Rev. Fordjour’s alleged offense is raising concerns about two suspicious flights said to have landed at Kotoka International Airport, which many suspect were carrying narcotics and large sums of money. These are serious claims that go a long way to affect the image and reputation of the country. Rather than pursuing transparent investigations, the state’s initial response appears to have been aggressive and dismissive.
Just days earlier, on Saturday, April 5, armed National Security operatives reportedly raided the private residence of Superintendent Yakubu Issahaku, Aide-de-Camp to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumi
These incidents, taking place under the current administration led by President John Dramani Mahama, raise important concerns about how power is being exercised. Is this a case of law enforcement doing its duty, or are we seeing the security apparatus being deployed to silence opposition voices?
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has since described the NIB’s actions as “an attack on parliamentary oversight” and a clear effort to stifle critical voices. His concern reflects a broader fear, that opposition figures are being targeted not because they have broken the law, but because they have dared to speak out.
Parliament is not a threat to national stability. On the contrary, it is a pillar of our democratic system. If Members of Parliament feel unsafe doing their job, what signal does that send to journalists, civil society groups, or ordinary Ghanaians?
Sadly, this is not the first time such fears have emerged. There has been a growing list of complaints in recent times of harassment, intimidation, and politically motivated invasion of homes. These trends, if unchecked, have the potential to erode trust in state institutions and weaken the democratic foundations of our nation.
President Mahama must take this opportunity to demonstrate leadership and accountability. More importantly, the President must send a clear message to all state agencies, especially the security services, that power must be exercised lawfully, proportionately, and without political bias.
The NIB and other security institutions must not be perceived as tools of intimidation but rather, defenders of justice, fairness, and the rule of law.
As we move forward as a country under this new administration that received a massive endorsement of the Ghanaian people at the polls, our commitment to civil liberties and democratic values must be unwavering. Strong institutions, not strong-arm tactics, are what make democracies thrive.
Let it be known that criticism and dissent are not criminality. We urge the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the NIB, and all relevant state actors to uphold the Constitution and act with integrity. Ghana’s democracy must be safeguarded not just in words but also in action.
Anything less would be a betrayal of the very ideals we claim to uphold.