On March 19, 2025, top leaders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) launched a social media campaign demanding the release of Ghanaian broadcaster Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah, who was arrested by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB).
Leading the charge was Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, who accused the ruling government of undermining democracy.
“It started with Abronye. Now it’s Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah. The NDC government must be tolerant! Using state security to intimidate opponents is not good for our democracy! Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah must be released now!!!”
Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP General Secretary at the time of the arrest, also criticized the government’s actions, “The arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah, a journalist, by the NDC government, is a dangerous attack on democracy and freedom of speech!”
Similarly, Richard Ahiagba, the National Communications Director of the NPP, took a swipe at President Mahama, “This is a democracy. Citizens’ rights to free speech must not be curtailed. The guy shouting across the Atlantic Ocean was tolerated for eight years. Good evening, H.E. John Dramani Mahama.”
Adding his voice to the condemnation, Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organizer of the NPP, expressed concern over what he termed a clampdown on press freedom, “The NIB picking up Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah is a clear sign of the culture of silence under the Mahama-led administration. The NDC is doing everything possible to silence the media.”
Meanwhile, the NPP has officially condemned the alleged unlawful arrest and detention of the veteran journalist by National Security operatives.
In a press release signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the party described the arrest as a desperate attempt by the John Mahama administration to suppress press freedom.
Labeling the arrest as “state-sponsored lawlessness,” the NPP warned that such government-backed actions threaten Ghana’s democracy “This unlawful action by the marauding operatives of the National Security is the latest installment in 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.”
Meanwhile, Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah was released by the NIB several hours after his arrest on Wednesday night.
The arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, a journalist, by the NDC government is a dangerous attack on democracy and freedom of speech!
— Justin Kodua Frimpong (@justinkfrimpong) March 19, 2025
Ghana must not descend into tyranny. He must be released NOW! #FreeAfrifaMensah #ProtectDemocracy #FreedomOfSpeech
It started with Abronye. Now it's Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah. The NDC Government must be tolerant! Using State Security to intimidate opponents is not good for our democracy! Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah must be released now!!!
— Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin (@AfenyoMarkin) March 19, 2025
This is a democracy. Citizens' rights to free speech must not be curtailed. The guy shouting across the Atlantic Ocean was tolerated for 8 years.
— Richard Ahiagbah (@RAahiagbah) March 19, 2025
Good evening, H.E. John Dramami Mahama #FreeOkatakyieNow#PressFeedom#MediaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/FGgVCPYaD9
AM/KA
Meanwhile, catch the first in the series of our special episodes on Forgotten Forts on People and Places on GhanaWeb TV below. This episode focuses on Fort Amsterdam at Abandze:
