Salam Mustapha, National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has rallied Ghanaian youth to stand against what he describes as selective justice and abuse of power by the John Mahama-led government, declaring that “the youth of Ghana are no longer safe” under the current administration.
In a press conference held today, Mustapha accused security agencies of targeting NPP members through politically motivated arrests, physical assaults, and rights violations, including failure to adhere to the 48-hour detention rule and imposing harsh bail conditions.
He contrasted this with perceived leniency toward National Democratic Congress (NDC) affiliates, pointing to recent threats against Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and an alleged assault on NPP’s Third Vice Chairman, Alhaji Osman Masawudu, by NDC’s National Vice Chairman, Chief Awudu Sofo Azorka.
The assault on Masawudu reportedly took place on September 2 at the Akwatia Lorry Station during a by-election, where Azorka’s escort allegedly slapped the NPP official amid a confrontation.
Azorka was arrested in connection with the incident but granted bail, while the NPP petitioned the Inspector General of Police for prosecution.
Mustapha also referenced a viral video from mid-September where NDC’s Abuakwa North Constituency Communications Officer, Alhaji Abdul Wahab, issued death threats against Afenyo-Markin and two others, leading to Wahab’s arrest and bail by the Eastern South Regional Police Command.
Afenyo-Markin himself warned against political intolerance and abuse of power in a parliamentary roundtable on September 12.
“We’re seeing state-sponsored harassment of opposition voices. The youth of Ghana are no longer safe. They cannot speak. We will resist oppressive rule,” Mustapha declared.7e499a He linked these incidents to broader patterns, including the recent arrest and remand of NPP Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC) for offensive conduct, who was later granted bail on health grounds.
The NPP Youth Wing has confirmed plans for a demonstration on Tuesday, September 23, starting at 6:00 a.m. from Obra Spot in Accra and marching to Police Headquarters, despite Abronye DC’s release.
Mustapha emphasized that the event addresses seven to eight months of alleged systemic abuse, not just individual cases.
The NPP’s actions signal escalating tensions between the opposition and the ruling NDC, with analysts viewing the protest as part of a strategy to challenge the government’s handling of state institutions amid investigations into figures like Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Wontumi).
The Ghana Police Service has maintained its operations follow due process and has not directly responded to the harassment claims.
