The National Peace Council (NPC) has called for calm and restraint amid rising political tensions in the country, following recent arrests of some political actors over alleged unlawful public comments.
The call comes in the wake of a petition by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the Diplomatic Corps after the arrest of its Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC. He is facing charges under Sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act for allegedly offensive conduct and related offences.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has also come under criticism after publicly questioning the conduct of a presiding judge in the case and stating that he would continue to disregard him over what he described as the wrongful application of the law.
The NPP National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, has further warned that the party could take actions that would make the country “extremely ungovernable” if what he described as continued harassment and intimidation of its members is not stopped. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, May 19, during a courtesy call on the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, he said the party would not remain silent while its members were allegedly being targeted.
But in a press release issued on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the NPC expressed concern about the developments and urged all parties to respect due process and constitutional provisions.
The Council stressed that Ghana’s democracy is anchored on the rule of law and called for moderation in public discourse, particularly among political actors and media practitioners.
It further reminded security and judicial institutions to carry out their duties with fairness, transparency, and professionalism, while protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens.
The NPC urged political parties, communicators, and supporters to avoid making inflammatory or unverified statements that could escalate tensions or trigger violence.
“Political parties, their communicators and actors must refrain from making unsubstantiated, inflammatory statements and actions that have the potential to incite violence,” the statement said.
It also advised political commentators both in Ghana and abroad to be mindful of their remarks and their impact on national cohesion and stability.
The Council emphasised that Ghana’s peace depends on the ability of citizens to disagree without resorting to insults or violence, and encouraged civility in public engagement.
Additionally, the NPC announced plans to meet political party leaders in the coming days as part of its quarterly trust-building dialogue aimed at addressing concerns and preventing further escalation.
Meanwhile, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has defended comments made by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin regarding a Circuit Court judge handling the case of Kwame Baffoe, arguing that the remarks should be considered within the context of free speech and democratic accountability.
The Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, has also expressed concern over what he describes as a worrying trend of arrests linked to alleged free speech violations in the country.
Speaking to Citi News, Dr. Asante cautioned that if not carefully checked, the situation could set a dangerous precedent and potentially lead to broader restrictions on freedom of expression.
