The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) expresses grave concern over the escalating trend of politically motivated prosecutions and selective application of justice in Ghana. AFAG argues that state institutions, designed to uphold fairness and impartiality, are being manipulated to target political opponents while shielding allies from scrutiny. This practice, they contend, undermines the foundations of democracy, erodes public trust in institutions, and jeopardizes the nation-building process. AFAG emphasizes that accountability should serve the national interest, not political expediency.
AFAG highlights a discernible pattern of targeted actions against figures associated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP). These actions include arrests, prolonged detentions, imposition of unusually harsh bail conditions, highly publicized trials, and pre-trial asset seizures, effectively amounting to punishment before conviction. AFAG asserts that this biased application of justice creates a perception that law enforcement and judicial bodies, including the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), and even the courts, function as instruments of the ruling party rather than independent arbiters of justice.
This perceived politicization of justice, AFAG argues, creates a vicious cycle. It strips institutions of their credibility, leading to genuine prosecutions being dismissed as politically motivated witch-hunts. This, in turn, undermines the rule of law, fosters public disillusionment, and increases the risk of apathy, instability, and unrest. AFAG condemns any attacks on state institutions and individuals by commentators and political actors, emphasizing the unacceptability of such behavior. However, they equally condemn the alleged use of excessive force by the police against political opponents.
AFAG further criticizes the alleged selective application of justice, where individuals are penalized not for their offenses but for their political affiliations. This transforms accountability into a partisan tool linked to electoral outcomes, perpetuating a cycle of retribution where each side in power targets the other upon losing. This dynamic, AFAG contends, exacerbates corruption rather than curbing it, hindering genuine reforms aimed at improving governance and transparency. Instead of fostering national progress, institutions are allegedly misused for political vendettas.
AFAG calls on the public to vigilantly monitor these concerning developments surrounding partisan prosecutions and biased justice, reminding Ghanaians of their historical role as a beacon of democracy in Africa, renowned for peaceful transitions of power, a vibrant political landscape, and robust institutions. Specifically, they condemn the arrest of Mr. Kwame Baffoe (Abronye) and demand his immediate release on reasonable bail, urging the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Ghana Police Service to proceed to court if they have valid grounds for his detention. Otherwise, AFAG threatens mass action to hold the government and relevant institutions accountable.
Furthermore, AFAG cautions the IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, against allowing the police service to be manipulated by political actors, urging him to protect its professional integrity. They express concern that the service appears to be becoming an arm of the ruling party under his leadership. This warning extends to all state institutions, particularly the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), OSP, EOCO, and the courts. AFAG accuses the ruling NDC government of abusing its power and neglecting its focus on nation-building, questioning the progress of promised initiatives like the “24 Hour Economy” and the “Big Push.” They also caution radio commentators, bloggers, and the public against inflammatory remarks that undermine state institutions, emphasizing that freedom of speech should be exercised responsibly. AFAG concludes by advocating for a more mature political landscape where national interests supersede partisan agendas, justice prevails over expediency, and integrity triumphs over vengeance. They warn that politically motivated prosecutions and biased justice threaten Ghana’s democratic legacy, risking instability and societal division. They urge Ghana to learn from the experiences of other nations and prioritize impartial justice for all citizens.
