Two citizens petition police to investigate Nitiwul over alleged inflammatory comments on Agbogbloshie redevelopment

Two Ghanaian citizens have petitioned the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to investigate the Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, over comments he allegedly made about the redevelopment of the Konkomba Yam Market at Agbogbloshie in Accra, accusing the former Defence Minister of making statements capable of provoking ethnic tensions and disturbing the public peace.

The Petition

In a petition dated September 16, 2026, Solomon Owusu and lawyer Andrew Appiah-Danquah accused Mr Nitiwul of making public statements that they believe could provoke ethnic tensions, cause fear and alarm, and disturb the public peace.

They are asking the police to invite the former Defence Minister to assist with investigations into a video of his remarks that has been circulating on social media and other electronic platforms.

According to the petitioners, their concern is not that Mr Nitiwul criticised the government or the proposed redevelopment of the market. Rather, they object to what they describe as his repeated presentation of the redevelopment exercise as an action deliberately targeting members of the Konkomba ethnic group.

The Alleged Comments

The petitioners cited comments in which Mr Nitiwul questioned why the area occupied by Konkombas had been marked for the proposed 24-hour market while other areas had allegedly been left untouched.

They quoted him as asking what the Konkombas had done to the government and whether they were not Ghanaians.

The petitioners further cited his call on President John Dramani Mahama to stop the Accra Mayor from “targeting the Konkomba tribe.”

They pointed to his comments that the affected traders were “not moving tomorrow” and should “continue to bring their yams.”

According to the petition, Mr Nitiwul warned that it would be “politically suicidal” for President Mahama to allow the Mayor to proceed with the proposed action.

Concerns Over Ethnic Tensions

The two petitioners argued that the statements could create the impression that the government and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) were deliberately seeking to discriminate against or remove Konkombas from Accra.

They said such a perception could heighten tensions between traders and public officials, particularly if authorities proceed with enforcement or demolition activities at the affected location.

The petitioners identified possible risks including confrontation, resistance to lawful administrative measures, damage to property, injuries, mobilisation along ethnic lines and a disturbance of public peace.

Call for Investigation Under Criminal Offences Act

Owusu and Appiah-Danquah are asking the CID to investigate whether Mr Nitiwul’s statements could amount to offences under sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

They cited Section 207, which deals with the use of threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in circumstances where a breach of the peace is intended or likely to occur.

They referred to Section 208, which concerns the publication of statements, rumours or reports that are likely to cause fear and alarm or disturb the public peace where the person publishing them knows or has reason to believe they are false.

The petitioners stressed that they were not asking the police to presume Mr Nitiwul’s guilt. They said the purpose of the investigation should be to establish the facts, including whether the claims he made about the redevelopment were accurate.

Petitioners Want Site Plans and Documents Examined

They have asked the CID to obtain and examine the official redevelopment plans, site plans, affected-property schedules, demolition or relocation notices and relevant maps.

They want the police to inspect the affected area independently to determine which structures and adjoining areas have been marked for the project.

The petitioners further want the CID to speak with officials of the AMA, including the Mayor and officers responsible for the redevelopment, as well as leaders and members of the Konkomba Yam Market and people operating in adjoining areas.

They are also asking investigators to determine whether the redevelopment exercise affects only members of the Konkomba community or whether people and structures belonging to other groups are also affected.

Call for Examination of Nitiwul’s Sources

The petitioners want Mr Nitiwul to provide the information and documents on which he relied before making the allegations.

They are asking the police to establish whether he personally inspected the entire proposed project area, whether he sought clarification from the AMA and whether he knew that people outside the Konkomba community were also affected.

They want investigators to determine what steps he took to verify the accuracy of his claims before making them public.

The petitioners have asked the police to assess the circulation and impact of the video, including whether it generated fear, hostility, mobilisation or threats of resistance.

They further urged the police to take preventive measures if necessary to avert confrontation, ethnic tension or a breach of the peace at the affected location.

Constitutional Rights Acknowledged

The two petitioners acknowledged Mr Nitiwul’s constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression. They stressed that their petition was not intended to suppress political criticism or dissent, adding that a police investigation would allow the facts surrounding his statements to be established.

They also argued that his position as a sitting MP and former Defence Minister meant that his public comments could have a significant impact on his constituents and members of the affected community.

They noted, however, that the statements were made outside Parliament and should therefore be assessed as public communication rather than statements made during parliamentary proceedings.

Requests to CID

The petitioners have asked the CID to register their complaint, provide them with a reference number, preserve and authenticate the full video recording and transcript, and take any further lawful action based on the outcome of the investigation.

They have indicated their readiness to provide the video, transcript, screenshots, links and other relevant documents to assist the investigation.

Background

The Konkomba Yam Market at Agbogbloshie is one of Ghana’s largest yam markets and serves as a major trading hub for yam farmers and traders, predominantly from the northern regions of Ghana. The market has been at the centre of a long-running redevelopment dispute, with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly proposing to transform the area into a modern 24-hour market.

The proposed redevelopment has raised concerns among traders and community leaders about displacement, compensation and the future of their livelihoods. Previous attempts to relocate or redevelop the market have sparked tensions and resistance from traders who depend on the area for their economic survival.

Dominic Nitiwul, a former Defence Minister under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, has been a vocal critic of the government’s handling of the redevelopment exercise. His comments have drawn attention to the ethnic dimensions of the dispute, with the Konkomba community being one of the largest ethnic groups affected by the proposed changes.

The petition comes amid heightened political tensions in Ghana, with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) under President John Dramani Mahama facing criticism from opposition parties over various governance issues. The police are yet to comment on whether they will act on the petition.