A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Team, Johnson Ayine, has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of hypocrisy in its criticism of opposition attacks on the judiciary.
Speaking on Dreamz FM’s State of Our Nation programme, Mr Ayine defended Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s recent criticism of a judge handling a high-profile case involving political commentator Abronye DC.
According to Ayine, the NDC previously made similar attacks against the judiciary while in opposition and therefore lacked the moral authority to condemn the NPP today.
“If you are condemning Abronye for saying judges are biased, then you should also have condemned John Mahama for describing the Supreme Court as a unanimous FC,” he said.
Mr Ayine cited several past statements by NDC figures, including comments by Johnson Asiedu Nketiah accusing former Chief Justice Georgina Woode of “judicial tyranny,” as evidence that criticism of judges had long existed in Ghanaian politics.
He argued that the current government’s conduct contradicted its campaign promises to “reset” state institutions and ensure fairness.
“Today, the same people who were against daily hearing of cases are now demanding fast-track hearings for cases involving NPP members,” he said.
Mr Ayine also questioned the handling of some politically sensitive cases, saying the judiciary should avoid decisions that create perceptions of political bias.
“You may be right now, but why didn’t you make those same arguments when you were in opposition?” he asked.
He further criticized what he described as growing intolerance toward dissenting voices and pointed to the treatment of online commentators and activists under the current administration.
“Kevin Taylor came to Ghana twice under state protection and returned safely. Today, others are being arrested for comments and social media posts,” he claimed.
Mr Ayine warned that continued political interference in judicial matters could weaken democratic institutions and erode public trust.
“We don’t know who is next. That is why we are talking,” he said.
