Ntim Fordjour Vs NIB: Dr. Rasheed Draman urges dialogue to defuse political tensions

The standoff between the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Member of Parliament for Assin South, has sparked widespread political controversy, with experts calling for a more diplomatic resolution.

Dr. Rasheed Draman, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, criticized the handling of the situation, urging both Parliament and the NIB to engage in constructive dialogue.

Speaking on ABC Midday News, Dr. Draman lamented the escalation of the issue, saying, “It is disappointing that government and its leadership have not been able to manage this, to the extent that it has escalated into a spectacle.”

He continued, “Unfortunately, where it has reached now, it has become a political issue, and the conversation is becoming quite difficult from both sides. There could have been a better way of dealing with this. They could have invited him; they could have written to the Hon. Speaker to release him. He is here, he is not a fugitive from justice. But to storm his house and now, at the end of it, they couldn’t arrest him, they have created a dent in the whole rule of law practice we have in our country.”

Dr. Draman called for urgent dialogue between Parliament, the NIB, and other relevant authorities to reduce the heightened tensions and resolve the situation.

He stated, “I hope that some lessons will be learned from this and Parliament will be able to move beyond what’s currently happening.”

His comments come in the wake of the controversial attempted arrest of Fordjour by NIB operatives, which has prompted a response from key political figures.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President and 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, has called on President Mahama to ensure that security services are not used to intimidate political opponents, urging NPP members to remain calm and law-abiding in the face of increasing political tension.