In a spirited appearance on Atinka 104.7 FM’s AM Drive hosted by Ekow Budu Sam, Salam Mustapha, the National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), launched a sarcastic critique of the current administration, likening the John Mahama-led government to a “Nebuchadnezzar regime” and accusing it of growing intolerance toward dissent and opposition voices.
The NPP youth leader pulled no punches, alleging that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has become hypersensitive to criticism, adopting authoritarian tendencies in its dealings with political opponents.
“Is this not a Nebuchadnezzar government?” Mustapha asked rhetorically, “Immediately you talk, they send people after you.”
He condemned recent actions against former government appointees and expressed disapproval over what he described as “Rambo-style arrests” targeting individuals perceived to be associated with the NPP.
“Have you seen the NPP fight against Prof. Ekumfi’s case? We are law-abiding. We’ve asked all former appointees to cooperate with investigations,” he said, stressing that his party supports due process but is alarmed by the aggressive nature of some recent state actions.
Mustapha further criticized the apparent double standards in public discourse, contrasting the current administration’s alleged crackdown on free speech with past tolerance shown under the NPP.
“What haven’t Sam George and Ablakwa said about Nana Addo? They insulted him. But now, when you speak against Mahama, you are hunted,” – he claimed.
The NPP youth leader also pointed to a broader issue of paranoia and misplaced priorities by the current administration, suggesting that “when they see you driving a new car, they suspect you’ve stolen money.” This, he said, is symptomatic of a government that is “acting on petty issues” rather than focusing on substantive governance.
Salam Mustapha’s comments are expected to reignite debates over political tolerance, freedom of speech, and the use of state power in Ghana’s democratic space.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu