Ghana's Political Landscape Intensifies as NPP Accuses Government of Evolving Media Suppression and Internal Tensions Rise

The political atmosphere in Ghana has reached a fever pitch as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) officially accuses the current administration of undermining the nation’s democratic gains. Haruna Mohammed, the NPP’s Deputy General Secretary, has raised alarms over what he describes as a systematic erosion of free speech, citing an increase in politically motivated arrests and intimidation. These allegations served as the backdrop for the "Yensuro Ahunahuna" (We Are Not Intimidated) demonstration in Sunyani, where hundreds of party supporters protested against the arrest of local officials and called for an end to state-sponsored harassment. The NPP maintains that the progress achieved since the repeal of the criminal libel law is being reversed, a claim that underscores a growing rift between the opposition and state agencies.

Simultaneously, the NPP is navigating significant internal shifts and leadership scrutiny. While Member of Parliament Kennedy Osei Nyarko has publicly dismissed claims that the party is on the verge of collapse following recent defections, internal dynamics remain complex. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, is facing intense scrutiny over his leadership style and neutrality following recent primaries, as the party attempts to align its caucus with the vision of 2028 flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. This period of transition is further marked by high-profile bids for party leadership, including Eugene Boakye Antwi’s formal declaration for the General Secretary position and regional endorsements like MP Mohammed Nurudeen’s support for incumbent Chairman Nurudeen Fuseini in the North East Region.

On the legislative front, the discourse surrounding the controversial anti-LGBT bill has sparked fresh accusations of hypocrisy. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, criticized NPP lawmakers for demanding the bill's passage, alleging that many of them previously obstructed its progress. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has seen its National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, break a six-month media silence to advocate for media pluralism. During his visit to the Upper West Region, Nketia praised the launch of Lambussie FM as a vital tool for community representation, signaling the NDC’s strategic focus on grassroots engagement and local narratives ahead of future electoral cycles.

Beyond the high-level political friction, individual Members of Parliament are focusing on constituency-level development to maintain voter confidence. In Bekwai, Ralph Poku Adusei recently commissioned the rehabilitated Queen Elizabeth Nursery School, emphasizing the critical role of foundational education in national development. Similarly, in Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah distributed 10,000 mathematical sets to BECE candidates as part of his annual educational support initiative. These efforts at the local level suggest that despite the intense national political rhetoric and internal party maneuvering, the delivery of basic social services remains a central pillar of the political strategy for both incumbent and aspiring leaders.

Finally, the NPP has had to contend with sophisticated misinformation campaigns targeting its financial integrity. The party recently issued a formal rebuttal to claims circulating on social media regarding the misappropriation of party dues. National officials clarified that an unauthorized shortcode was being promoted to divert funds and urged members to use only the official channels. As the country moves toward the 2028 election cycle, the combination of external government critiques, internal leadership reshuffling, and the constant battle against misinformation highlights the increasingly volatile and competitive nature of Ghanaian politics.