Raid, Arrests: Akufo-Addo never used his powers to suppress, intimidate opponents – NPP MP

The Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, has stated that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo did not abuse his powers during his presidency to intimidate his opponents or journalists.

The lawmaker drew attention to the existence of free speech and the practice of democracy under the former government, emphasising that even those perceived as opponents of former President Akufo-Addo, as well as journalists who criticised him, were not subjected to intimidation.

Osei stated that Akufo-Addo did not use his powers to suppress individuals who were dissatisfied with his government.

“They say Akufo-Addo was a tyrant, but he never capriciously used his powers to suppress and intimidate his perceived opponents and especially those journalists who took him to the cleaners every morning whilst he was serving as a president,” the lawmaker posted on Facebook on March 20, 2025.

Osei expressed concerns about the current situation, warning that things could worsen if power were to shift from the ruling government.

He voiced his belief that the lawful processes must be followed if people are found to have committed certain crimes, rather than the government employing unlawful tactics to supposedly ‘silence the voices of perceived opponents’.

“If we are not careful as a country, I’m afraid things will get to its uncomfortable state when power changes in the future. If people have committed crimes let’s take them through the prosecution processes instead of employing these intimidating tactics to silence the voices of perceived opponents,” he added.

He strongly condemned the raid on former Bank of Ghana Governor Dr Ernest Addison's house, on other former government officials, and the arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah by state security forces.

However, he assured that the Minority would speak out against any attempts of government intimidation and the culture of silence.

“We want to assure the government that the Minority will stand up to any intimidation from his government and safeguard the constitution of this country. We will use every means necessary to stop this government from the attempts to bring back the era of the culture of silence,” he added.

MAG/AE

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