Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere, a senior lecturer and political analyst at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has accused the Minority in Parliament of deliberately using the controversy surrounding the Assin South MP, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, to tarnish the image of the government.
His remarks follow an incident on Wednesday, April 9, when operatives from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) reportedly stormed the residence of Rev. Fordjour in an attempt to arrest him.
The operation was said to be in response to allegations made by the MP about two suspicious aircraft that landed at Kotoka International Airport—claims which hinted at potential drug trafficking and money laundering.
The attempted arrest was later suspended without official explanation.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Joshua Kodjo Mensah, Dr. Otchere criticised the Minority, suggesting the issue is part of a political strategy to undermine the government’s reputation.
Dr. Otchere claimed the Minority is using the situation to chip away at the credibility of key government figures.
“Politicians have their own strategies upon which they become relevant along the line. This is the first time I’m seeing this kind of approach from Reverend Ntim Fordjour in the terrain. He appears to me as someone who is not that vociferous, but suddenly he’s acquired that particular tag. Truth be told, I think that the political strategy is that the Minority would want to wade into this and find a way of reducing the goodwill that the President, the Vice President, and the NDC itself have as far as the political discourse or the political terrain is concerned. That for me is the main motive…”
He added that political rhetoric appears to already be gearing up for the 2028 elections.
Dr. Otchere slammed the NIB’s but noted that such tactics are not new and have persisted across various administrations.
“Whenever you listen to Afenyo-Markin, as if he’s giving a threat that four years is far, but not far. So it’s like when we are dealing with an issue today, you are thinking of the elections that are yet to come. I think that, of course, the security, the way and manner they conduct themselves, I think they have been doing so over the years, it didn’t start with this particular government… Once they get all these backlashes, then it means that they will have to change their style.”
He hailed the President’s openness, suggesting that Rev. Fordjour had not made use of the opportunity to share whatever credible information he might have.
He questioned the MP’s motives, warning that making serious allegations without evidence could damage the country’s international image and future prospects.
“What you have done is just to deepen the woes of this country by spewing all manner of allegations that are yet unfounded… How come you are the only person that seems to know so many things that others don’t know, and yet when you are called upon to help, you don’t, but you still go out there and make serious, serious allegations that would indict the integrity of the nation, that could indict the possible prosperity of the nation and its international image?”
