Accra: The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has recounted how he was allegedly assaulted by police officers when he visited the Police Headquarters in solidarity with former NDC Deputy General Secretary, Koku Anyidoho, following his arrest in 2018. He made this known during a parliamentary debate concerning the actions of security agencies, freedom of speech, and its legal boundaries.
According to Ghana Web, Dr. Jinapor spoke on the floor of Parliament on June 9, 2026, recalling events surrounding the arrest of Koku Anyidoho and said he personally experienced police brutality during his visit to the Police Headquarters with party supporters. He elaborated on the incident, mentioning how police officers dispersed supporters who had gathered in solidarity with the then NDC deputy general secretary.
Dr. Jinapor stated, "You recall Koku Anyidoho? That day when I went to the police headquarters, I was beaten mercilessly. I had to run away." He added that the incident occurred when former President Mahama visited the CID Headquarters to monitor developments following Anyidoho's arrest.
He further detailed the police's actions, noting, "And when we massed up, I recall, this COP Kwesi Ofori was his name, he came with the men. They started pouring hot water, and they started beating us. I'm being frank with you. I had to run away that day. This is on record."
Dr. Jinapor's comments also referenced former President Mahama's condemnation in May 2018 of what he described as the police's high-handed treatment of NDC supporters at the Police Headquarters after Anyidoho's arrest. The energy minister urged critics not to misrepresent the current administration as suppressing dissent, emphasizing responsible exercise of freedom of expression.
"So please don't create this impression as if President Mahama has become President, and all of a sudden, heaven has broken loose, and people are arrested left, right, and center. That is not the case," he insisted. He also rejected claims that President John Dramani Mahama's administration poses a threat to freedom of speech or press freedom.
Dr. Jinapor reassured that Ghanaians who express themselves within the constitutional limits have nothing to fear from government or state institutions. "Mr Speaker, let me put on record and let me succinctly, without equivocation, without a shred of evidence, that under President Mahama's administration, there is no threat to freedom of speech, there is no threat to press freedom, and that if you communicate within the ambit of the constitution, you will have no problem with the republic, you will have no problem with the state agencies," he affirmed.