General News of Wednesday, 28 March 2018

Source: mynewsgh.com

Mahama directly indicts Akufo-Addo in Anyidoho’s arrest and detention

Former President John Dramani Mahama Former President John Dramani Mahama

Former President John Mahama has indicted President Akufo-Addo for the arrest and detention of opposition NDC deputy General Secretary Koku Anyidoho over ‘treasonable’ comments.

The former President took to his Facebook page to write “As a party that prides itself in the non-criminalization of speech, with a self-acclaimed human rights activist as President, the arrest of K. Anyidoho with armed men in the middle of a press event is obviously disproportionate. Moreso, the high-handed police response to innocent citizens waiting at the CID HQ is condemnable.”

On the Ghana-U.S. military base deal the former President writes as follows: “I join in declaring #GhanaFirst as my compatriots and other democratic forces converge to demonstrate their opposition to the Ghana/US military agreement.”

Police CID arrested Mr Koku Anyidoho yesterday at the International Press Center for treasonable comments. They proceeded to conduct a search of his house and have today announced his appearance in court.

Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia had described the arrest of his deputy allegedly for making ‘treasonable comments’ as a blessing in disguise in the light of the demonstration they are organizing today which has received good patronage, from MYNEWSGH.com’s observation.

Opposition NDC supporters massed up in front of the CID Headquarters refusing to leave until he is released, with two people suffering gunshot wounds as a result. Many spent the night in the street in front of the police edifice.

Mr Koku Anyidoho reportedly said the history of Akufo-Addo’s father’s deposition in a coup d’état will repeat itself on Accra-based Happy FM.

“On January 13, 1972 a certain Col. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong led a movement that removed the Progress Party from power. Busia was the Prime Minister and Akufo-Addo’s father was a ceremonial president. Somebody should tell Nana Akufo-Addo that history has a very interesting way of repeating itself.” Koku said.

“There’ll be a civil revolt. There’ll be a people’s movement. During President John Mahama’s tenure didn’t we receive similar threats from the likes of Let My Vote Count and OccupyGhana,” Koku said on Happy FM.

“There’ll be a civilian coup d’etat; there’ll be a social revolution and the movement is starting on Wednesday. He [Akufo-Addo] will be fed up at the Presidency.”

But the NDC General Secretary Asiedu Nketia has asked Ghanaians to rubbish Koku’s statement as it doesn’t represent the NDC position.

Prof Stephen Kwaku Asare has earlier called the arrest ‘much ado about nothing’ and called on the police to stop wasting precious time.