Abronye Seeks Political Asylum Abroad Over Alleged Political Witch-hunting by NDC Government

Kwame Baffoe Abronye, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has applied for political asylum and security protection in several foreign countries, citing what he describes as consistent political persecution and systemic abuse of state security powers by the current government.

In a letter dated 5 September 2025 and addressed to a number of embassies, asylum authorities and international organisations, Abronye appealed for urgent intervention, claiming that he and his family face imminent danger in Ghana.

According to his statement, his troubles began shortly after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) assumed office in January 2025. He alleged that he was the first opposition politician to be invited, arrested and detained by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) following his criticism of the government’s dismissal of more than 150,000 workers.

“During my detention, I was threatened, intimidated and sternly warned that unless I ceased criticising the government, I would face more severe reprisals,” he wrote.

He described his arrest as part of a disturbing pattern of silencing opposition voices and alleged that he had since been subjected to harassment, including threatening calls and messages from individuals linked to the ruling party.

Abronye further accused the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, of engaging in selective arrests of opposition members rather than addressing the country’s worsening security situation.

He recalled receiving a phone call from a man who identified himself only as Mr Seth, claiming to be an investigator acting on the IGP’s instructions. “He ordered me to report to the National Police Headquarters immediately to answer questions as to why I had been insulting and disrespecting the IGP. He warned that if I failed to comply, I would be dealt with mercilessly and that I would not come back to life,” Abronye recounted.

When his lawyers wrote to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to verify the summons, they were reportedly informed that no complaint or investigation had been initiated against him. Abronye claimed that the supposed investigator refused to clarify the matter and instead stated ominously: “Tell that boy that if he refuses to come and we pick him up, he will not come back to life.”

The NPP chairman grounded his appeal in international law, citing protections under the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention and the UNHCR Guidelines on International Protection.

“This application is respectfully grounded upon binding international legal instruments that recognise the well-founded fear of persecution for political opinion and prohibit refoulement,” he stated.

Abronye confirmed that copies of his application had been sent to the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Ghana, UNHCR Ghana, UNDP Ghana and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).

He also appealed to the embassies and high commissions of Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Côte d’Ivoire, Spain, France and Italy for urgent protection.

“I respectfully seek political asylum and security protection in your country,” he wrote. “I place my trust in your respected institution to consider my case urgently and extend the necessary humanitarian assistance and protection under international conventions governing the rights of asylum seekers.”