Kwame Baffoe Abronye, popularly known as Abronye DC, the Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bono Region, has formally petitioned several foreign embassies and international bodies for political asylum and security protection, alleging systemic persecution, intimidation, and threats to his life under the current government.
In a detailed letter dated September 5, 2025, and copied to the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Ghana, the UNHCR, the UNDP, and a number of embassies including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, Abronye argued that his situation meets the criteria for asylum under multiple international legal frameworks.
The outspoken NPP chairman said his asylum request is anchored on a “consistent and escalating” pattern of political harassment since the assumption of office by the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration in January 2025.
He narrated that in February 2025, he was arrested and detained by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) for over 13 hours. According to him, the arrest followed his criticism of government’s dismissal of over 150,000 public sector workers. He said during detention he was threatened, intimidated, and sternly warned to desist from criticizing government policies.
Since his release, Abronye claims he has been subjected to persistent threats, both verbally and electronically, from persons linked to the ruling party. He cited a recent incident where he questioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, on an online TV program for failing to address the worsening insecurity in Ghana, particularly tribal conflicts in the north, while focusing on what he described as selective arrests of opposition members.
Following those remarks, Abronye alleged that he received a threatening phone call from a man who identified himself only as “Mr. Seth,” claiming to be acting on behalf of the IGP. The caller allegedly ordered him to report to the National Police Headquarters or risk being “dealt with mercilessly in a way he would not come back to life.”
Through his lawyers, Abronye wrote to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to verify whether any formal complaint had been lodged against him. The CID reportedly denied having any case against him and directed his lawyers back to the supposed investigator.
According to Abronye, a confidential police source later informed him of a secret plan to arrest, detain, and brutalize him should he appear at Police Headquarters.
The Bono Regional NPP Chairman also pointed to what he described as a disturbing trend of opposition politicians being detained beyond the constitutionally mandated 48 hours without bail. He argued that this has created a deliberate climate of fear aimed at silencing dissenting voices.
“In light of these realities and the direct threats to my life and liberty, I am convinced that both I and my family are in imminent and grave danger,” Abronye wrote.
Abronye cited several international conventions and instruments in support of his application, including:
• The 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol – recognizing fear of political persecution and prohibiting refoulement.
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 14) – affirming the right to seek asylum.
• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Articles 9 & 19) – safeguarding liberty, freedom from arbitrary detention, and freedom of expression.
• The 1969 OAU Refugee Convention – extending refugee status to individuals facing political persecution.
• UNHCR Guidelines on International Protection – emphasizing protection for opposition politicians under threat.
The NPP chairman expressed faith in the humanitarian principles of the embassies and international bodies he has petitioned. He urged them to consider his case urgently and extend protection for himself and his family.
“I respectfully seek political asylum and security protection in your country. I place my trust in your respected institution to consider my case urgently and to extend the necessary humanitarian assistance and protection under international conventions governing the rights of asylum seekers,” the letter concluded.
The embassies of Canada, UK, Germany, the United States, Spain, France, Italy, and Côte d’Ivoire were among the recipients of his asylum request.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
