The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned the arrest of Ghanaian media personality Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah.
According to the NPP, Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah is an obvious attack on democracy and press freedom.
The New Patriotic Party asserted that Ghana must not descend into tyranny after the NDC government arrested Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah.
Reports, Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah the host of FOR THE RECORDS”, was arrested on Wednesday 19 March 2025.
However, it is unclear why he was arrested.
Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah’s arrest led to a widespread outrage with many calling for his immediate release.
The NPP has condemned his arrest and labelled it a direct attack on democracy and press freedom.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin reacted to his arrest calling for tolerance and warning against the intimidation of government critics.
“It started with Abronye. Now it’s Okatakyie Afrifa. The NDC government must be tolerant. Using State Security to intimidate opponents is not good for our democracy!” he stated.
General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua stated, “The arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah by the NDC government is a dangerous attack on democracy and freedom of speech! Ghana must not descend into tyranny”.
NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye also criticized the arrest, calling it unwarranted and unnecessary.
“We have just left the premises of National Security, and it is very disappointing to say that the arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa after his exams this evening was completely unnecessary and unwarranted. Thanks to the efforts of several individuals who intervened, he has been released. Free speech cannot be suppressed under the guise of an investigation. If that is the case, then National Security should be prepared to arrest all of us,” Boakye posted on Facebook.
Meanwhile, Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah had earlier revealed National security operatives invaded the airport, hunting for me.
According to Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, he has been informed that national security operatives descended upon the airport, searching for him.
He established that he did not know the intentions behind the search.
The media personality boldly stated he would not be silent or cowed by intimidation tactics from the National Security operatives.
Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah noted that it is obvious that the government will employ all tactics to keep journalists/ activists like him shut.
In a post on social media Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah stated, “Last night, I was informed that national security operatives descended upon the airport, searching for me. I don’t know what their intentions are, but it is obvious the government will employ all tactics to keep journalists/ activists like me shut”.
According to the Ghanaian media personality, if the authorities of National Security genuinely believe they have a case against him, they should invite him for questioning, which he is ready any day.
He added, “If the authorities genuinely believe they have a case against me, they should invite me for questioning, which I am ready any day, rather than resorting to these outdated, Machiavellian tactics designed to instil fear and intimidate citizens”.
Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah further stated that the approach used by these agencies will not silence him.
“I will not be silenced or cowed by these strong-arm methods. We shall stand up for our Constitutional rights and uphold the law without being bullied”, Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah boldly emphasised.
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