The National Peace Council (NPC) has urged calm and restraint amid growing political friction in the country, after recent arrests of some political figures over alleged illegal public remarks.
The appeal follows a petition by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the Diplomatic Corps after the arrest of its Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, widely known as Abronye DC.
He faces charges under Sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act for allegedly offensive conduct and related offences. Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has also drawn criticism after openly challenging the conduct of a presiding judge in the matter and saying he would keep disregarding him over what he called a wrongful application of the law.
The NPP National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, further cautioned that the party could take steps that would make the country “extremely ungovernable” if what he termed ongoing harassment and intimidation of its members does not stop.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday, May 19, during a courtesy visit to the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, he said the party would not stay silent while its members were allegedly being targeted.
But in a statement issued on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the NPC voiced concern about the developments and called on all sides to respect due process and constitutional provisions.
The Council stressed that Ghana’s democracy rests on the rule of law and urged moderation in public debate, especially among political players and media practitioners.
It also reminded security and judicial bodies to perform their duties with fairness, transparency and professionalism, while safeguarding citizens’ rights and freedoms.
The NPC asked political parties, spokespersons and supporters to avoid making inflammatory or unverified claims that could heighten tension or spark 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 further advised political commentators at home and abroad to weigh their words and their effect on national unity and stability. The Council emphasised that Ghana’s peace hinges on citizens’ ability to disagree without turning to insults or violence and encouraged civility in public discourse.
Additionally, the NPC announced plans to engage political party leaders in the coming days as part of its quarterly trust-building dialogue aimed at addressing concerns and preventing further escalation.
Meanwhile, the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has defended remarks by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin on a Circuit Court judge handling Kwame Baffoe’s case, arguing the comments should be viewed within the scope 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 raised concern over what he called a troubling trend of arrests tied to alleged free speech violations in the country.
