A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Akosua Manu, has accused the government of using arrests and what she described as excessive bail conditions to silence political opponents as part of an alleged plan to pursue a third presidential term.

Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, who serves as spokesperson for the NPP’s Sub-Committee on Gender and Social Protection, linked the recent arrest of Dennis Miracles Aboagye to what she called a broader pattern of suppressing dissent.

Manu alleged that recent actions by state institutions were aimed at intimidating critics of the government.

“The pattern of arresting dissenters and levying obscene bail conditions on them is just a move to silence or gag the opposition,” she said.

She argued that the opposition had become the government’s most vocal critic and claimed some civil society organisations had become less outspoken.

Manu further alleged that the government’s actions were intended to pave the way for President John Dramani Mahama to seek another term in office beyond the constitutional limit.

“This is paving the way for a third-term agenda,” she said.

She urged Ghanaians to speak out against what she described as attempts to undermine constitutional governance.

“We have to protect this country and ensure that if that provision is removed, we are not saddled with a dictator who came to power through democratic means,” she said.

Manu also referred to the suspension proceedings involving Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, arguing that earlier public silence over the issue had emboldened the government.

She further claimed that the government’s flagship policies, including the proposed 24-hour economy and job creation promises, had failed to meet public expectations.

Manu’s comments come amid renewed public debate following a suit before the Supreme Court seeking an interpretation of the constitutional provision on presidential term limits.

President Mahama has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of seeking a third term in office or amending the Constitution to permit one.