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National Security agents’ arrest and detention of renowned journalist Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah has been sharply denounced by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The journalist was reportedly arrested in what the NPP calls an illegal act intended to stifle press freedom. He was well-known for his critical views of the John Mahama regime.
The NPP condemned the move in a statement released on March 19, 2025, and signed by Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party’s general secretary. The statement said that the action was part of an increasing trend of state-sponsored attacks on the media under the current regime.
“This unlawful action by the marauding operatives of the National Security is the latest instalment 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 recognized the efforts of young activists and legal experts who stepped in to obtain the journalist’s release and praised Ghanaians who voiced their opposition to the detention.
The NPP also reminded the Mahama-led government that it is important to preserve Ghana’s democratic underpinnings, which were reinforced in 2001 when former President John Kufour repealed the Criminal and Seditious Libel Law.
“It is 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 statement added.
Criticizing what they saw as a developing culture of tyranny and state-sponsored attacks on the press, the party called on civil society organizations, the Ghana Journalists Association, the Media Foundation for West Africa, and other stakeholders to join the condemnation.
Finally, they issued a stern warning: “Enough is enough.”
Read the post by the party General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong on X below:
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
