The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described the arrest of broadcast journalist, Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah, by National Security operatives, as unlawful.

The NPP, in a statement released on March 19, 2025, accused the current government of perpetrating “state-sponsored attacks on the media” in an attempt to silence dissenting voices.

It added that “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 NPP lauded persons who resisted the move by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), as well as lawyers who intervened to facilitate Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah’s release.

“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 document signed by the NPP General Secretary stated.

The statement referenced the repeal of the Criminal and Seditious Libel Law in 2001, led by former President Nana Akufo-Addo during his tenure as Attorney General, as the basis for their support for the broadcast journalist.

“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 release added.

The NPP charged the Ghana Journalists Association and Civil Society Organisations to demand an end to what it termed as “a tyranny and growing culture of state-sponsored attacks on the media,” a portion of the statement concluded.

VPO/AE