Sunyani: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned the arrest of its Sunyani East Constituency Communications Officer, Abubakar Yakubu, popularly known as Baba Amando. In a statement signed by the party's National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, the NPP described the arrest as unwarranted and troubling for Ghana's democratic credentials.
According to Ghana Web, the party explained that Yakubu honored a police invitation at the Bono Regional Police Headquarters in Sunyani, accompanied by his lawyer, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, a former Deputy Attorney General. However, upon arrival, officers at the command reportedly indicated they had no knowledge of the invitation.
The NPP further stated that subsequent checks with the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra revealed that Yakubu was instead required in the capital, leading to his arrest. The CID in Accra reportedly instructed the Bono Regional Police CID to effect his arrest and facilitate his transfer to Accra. He has since been arrested and is being conveyed to the capital.
The party expressed concern over what it described as the use of state security agencies to intimidate dissenting voices. The NPP views this development as yet another example of the growing use of state security apparatus to intimidate and silence dissenting voices under the administration of President John Mahama.
The statement also alleged that the incident serves as a diversion from pressing national issues, including rising cost of living, fuel prices, utility tariffs, and other policy concerns. The NPP has called on Ghanaians to remain vigilant and urged authorities to uphold the rule of law. The Party calls on all Ghanaians to remain alert and to resist any attempts to undermine democratic freedoms. We also urge the relevant authorities to respect due process and safeguard the fundamental rights of all citizens.