The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned what it describes as the “unlawful arrest and detention” of veteran journalist Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah by National Security operatives.
In a statement dated March 19 and signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP accused the current government, led by President John Mahama, of orchestrating “state-sponsored attacks on the media” in an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
“This unlawful action by the marauding operatives of the National Security is the latest installment of the ongoing series of state-sponsored attacks on the media by the NDC government, in their desperate attempt to silence the media and curtail press freedom,” the statement read.
The party further commended Ghanaians who voiced their opposition to the arrest, as well as the legal team that intervened. “We also commend the young people and the team of lawyers who stormed the National Security Secretariat this evening to see to the release of the abducted journalist.”
The statement emphasized Ghana’s commitment to democracy and press freedom, citing the repeal of the Criminal and Seditious Libel Law in 2001, led by former President Nana Akufo-Addo during his tenure as Attorney General.
“It is therefore completely repugnant and unacceptable for the John Mahama administration to be using State Security to intimidate political opponents as well as media personnel in a bid to silence all critical voices,” the party stated.
The NPP urged stakeholders such as the Ghana Journalists Association and civil society organizations to demand an end to what it called “this tyranny and growing culture of state-sponsored attacks on the media. Enough is enough,” the statement concluded.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Deborah Amuzu
