The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly condemned the arrest of its Sunyani East Constituency Communications Officer, Mr. Abubakar Yakubu, popularly known as Baba Amando, describing the action as unwarranted and a troubling assault on Ghana’s democratic credentials.
According to the NPP, Mr. Yakubu, accompanied by his lawyer, Mr. Alfred Tuah Yeboah, a former Deputy Attorney-General, voluntarily honoured an invitation from the Ghana Police Service at the Bono Regional Police Headquarters around 10:00 a.m. on Monday. Upon arrival, however, local officers claimed no knowledge of the invitation. Subsequent coordination with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra led to his arrest and transfer to the capital for questioning over alleged cyber-related offences linked to Facebook posts.
The party views this as another instance of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration weaponising state security agencies to intimidate and silence opposition voices. “This development raises serious questions about the state of free speech and civil liberties in the country,” the NPP statement noted.
Reports indicate the arrest stems from social media commentary perceived as mocking President John Dramani Mahama and other officials. While the police cite investigations into cyber offences, the manner of execution — involving apparent confusion at the regional level followed by swift directives from Accra — fuels suspicions of selective targeting rather than routine law enforcement.
The NPP urges authorities to respect due process and fundamental rights. Ghanaians deserve a political environment that strengthens, rather than erodes, democratic norms.
