MP Nitiwul faces police investigation petition over Agbogbloshie market redevelopment comments

Two Ghanaian citizens have formally petitioned the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service to investigate Member of Parliament for Bimbilla Dominic Nitiwul over public statements he made regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Konkomba Yam Market at Agbogbloshie in Accra. The petition, filed on 16 September 2026 by Solomon Owusu and lawyer Andrew Appiah-Danquah, alleges that the former Defence Minister made comments designed to provoke ethnic tensions and disturb public peace.

The allegations against the MP

According to the petitioners, Mr Nitiwul's remarks—which circulated widely on social media—presented the market redevelopment as a deliberate targeting of the Konkomba ethnic group. The petition cites specific comments in which the MP questioned why the Konkomba-occupied area had been selected for the proposed 24-hour market whilst other areas remained untouched. He reportedly asked what Konkombas had done to warrant this action and whether they were not Ghanaians, and called on President John Mahama to prevent the Accra Mayor from what he characterised as "targeting the Konkomba tribe."

The MP also reportedly encouraged traders to resist relocation, stating they should "continue to bring their yams" and were "not moving tomorrow," and warned that it would be "politically suicidal" for the President to allow the redevelopment to proceed.

The petitioners contend that these statements could create a false impression that the government and Accra Metropolitan Assembly are deliberately discriminating against or removing Konkombas from the city. They argue this perception risks heightening tensions between traders and public officials, potentially leading to confrontation, property damage, ethnic mobilisation and public disorder.

Why it matters for Ghana

This case touches on sensitive issues central to Ghana's social fabric: the balance between legitimate political criticism and inflammatory speech that could incite ethnic division. Ethnic tensions remain a concern in Ghana's political landscape, particularly when urban development projects affect traditional trading communities. The incident raises important questions about the responsibilities of elected officials when speaking on issues affecting specific groups, and whether criticism of government policy must be careful not to weaponise ethnic identity.

The petition also highlights the practical challenges facing Accra's development agenda. Major infrastructure projects often require relocation of traders and businesses, but how these are communicated and managed can determine whether they proceed smoothly or become flashpoints for conflict. The city's densely populated markets are crucial economic zones serving many communities, and public confidence in fair treatment during redevelopment is essential.

Additionally, this situation illustrates how social media amplifies political speech, allowing comments made in one context to reach far broader audiences than traditional platforms would permit, potentially magnifying their impact.

What investigators are being asked to examine

The petitioners are requesting a thorough investigation under sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, which deal with threatening or insulting language likely to breach the peace, and publication of false statements likely to cause fear or alarm. They want the CID to:

• Obtain and examine official redevelopment plans, site maps and demolition notices to verify whether the project affects only Konkombas or multiple communities
• Independently inspect the affected area to determine which structures have been marked
• Interview AMA officials, the Mayor and market leaders about the scope and impact of the project
• Investigate whether Mr Nitiwul personally inspected the area or sought clarification from authorities before making his statements public
• Assess the video's circulation and whether it generated fear, hostility or threats of resistance

Importantly, the petitioners emphasise they are not asking police to presume guilt, but rather to establish facts about both the redevelopment project itself and the accuracy of the MP's claims.