The recent arrest and detention of veteran journalist Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah by National Security operatives has sparked outrage and condemnation from the New Patriotic Party (NPP). In a press release signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP denounced the act as a blatant attempt by the John Mahama administration to suppress press freedom.
Describing the arrest as a form of “state-sponsored lawlessness,” the NPP expressed concern over what they perceived as a pattern of government-backed attacks on the media. They warned that such actions pose a serious threat to Ghana’s democracy and called on all Ghanaians to stand against this assault on freedom of the press.
The NPP commended the swift response of young activists and a legal team who demanded the journalist’s release by storming the National Security Secretariat. They also reminded President Mahama of the democratic legacy he inherited, citing Ghana’s status as a beacon of democracy with strong institutions and a commitment to press freedom.
The statement highlighted the historic repeal of the Criminal and Seditious Libel Law in 2001, spearheaded by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during his time as Attorney General. The NPP emphasized that it is unacceptable for the government to use state security agencies to intimidate political opponents and silence critical voices in the media.
Calling on the Ghana Journalists Association, the Media Foundation for West Africa, Civil Society Organizations, and all stakeholders to resist this growing culture of oppression, the NPP declared “enough is enough” and demanded an immediate end to what they described as tyranny against the press.
In conclusion, the NPP reiterated their commitment to upholding democratic and constitutional principles and urged all Ghanaians to join in the fight against the suppression of press freedom. The party’s strong stance against the government’s actions underscores the importance of protecting the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression in Ghana.
