President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has condemned former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for what he described as his selective call for accountability in the country.
According to him, the 2028 flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) should not condemn things that only affect his party people.
In a post made by the IMANI President on Thursday, May 14, 2026, he said Dr. Bawumia’s call for accountability is okay, but should not be selective in his judgement.
He cited the disenfranchisement of the residents Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe (SALL) in the 2024 elections, where the then Vice President refused to condemn the injustice meted out to those residents.
Mr. Cudjoe says Dr. Bawumia should have equally criticised the SALL matter even when his party chose to ignore the issue.
“Well said—but how I wish Dr. Bawumia had shown this same courage and clarity when his own government presided over rendering the people of SALL stateless for nearly five years. Not a single word of apology then. Not even an acknowledgment, even if his party had decided they would never say sorry,” he stated.
He noted that “it is deeply ironic to see him now championing free speech and condemning state intimidation, when his administration remained silent while citizens were stripped of their very identity and belonging.”
Franklin Cudjoe indicated that what the NDC is doing now is equivalent to what the NPP did not do when they were in power. “The NPP’s silence then was as damaging as the NDC’s actions now.”
He noted that the call for justice should be consistent, and an abuse of power by any form of government puts Ghana’s democracy at the losing end.
“Ghana’s democracy suffers when any government—past or present—abuses power or looks away. Dr. Bawumia is right to call out the present wrongs, but justice demands consistency. The patriots he now rallies remember those who were abandoned under his watch. Accountability cannot be selective.
“If he truly believes in a day of reckoning for abuse of state power, let that day also review the NPP’s own record. The fight for democracy must include the courage to look backward, not only forward,” he explained.
Background
Dr. Bawumia had criticised the government over what he described as growing attacks on free speech and democratic rights under the current National Democratic Congress administration.
In a statement released on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Dr Bawumia alleged that officers, activists and supporters of the NPP had become targets of intimidation, arrests and detentions since the NDC returned to office in January 2025.
He argued that the pattern of actions being taken against opposition figures posed a threat to Ghana’s democratic progress.
“I have observed with great concern the endless assault on the fundamental rights of officers, activists, and supporters of the New Patriotic Party across the country by this NDC Government,” he stated.
According to him, “attacks, arrests, detentions, and unconscionable bail conditions” had become a persistent feature of the current administration.
Dr Bawumia specifically referenced the arrest and subsequent release of David Essandoh over comments made on social media concerning the return of dumsor, as well as the detention of Kwame Baffoe Abronye.
He maintained that such actions were designed to silence dissenting voices and intimidate members of the opposition.
“These actions undermine free speech and are setting Ghana’s democracy backwards,” he said, while condemning what he termed “the unholy collaboration between the Executive, State investigative agencies, and some elements within the judiciary.”
The former Vice President further called on NPP supporters to remain steadfast and continue participating in democratic accountability despite the alleged intimidation.
“To Patriots around the country, I urge you all to stay firm by refusing to succumb to intimidation while continuing your civic duty to hold the Government accountable to its promises,” he stated.
He added that democracy in Ghana had been hard won and should not be weakened by “those who possess temporary power today.”
Bawumia accuses NDC Government of intimidation, says democracy is under siege
