The Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin condemned the arrest of journalist and critic of the Mahama administration Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah who was picked up by security operatives on Wednesday, March 19.
Afenyo-Markin urged the Mahama administration to be tolerant of dissenting views and use state security to intimidate them.
He wrote on his Facebook page prior to the release of Oakatakyie that “It started with Abronye. Now it’s Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah. The NDC Government must be tolerant! Using State Security to intimidate opponents is not good for our democracy! Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah must be released now!”
Similarly, a private legal practitioner and Convener of Fix The Country Movement Oliver Barker-Vormawor demanded answers to why Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah was arrested.
Afrifa Mensah, host of the popular social media show “FOR THE RECORDS”, was reportedly picked up, prompting widespread outrage.
The NPP described the arrest as a direct attack on democracy and press freedom, with General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua demanding his immediate release.
“The arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah by the NDC government is a dangerous attack on democracy and freedom of speech! Ghana must not descend into tyranny,” Kodua stated.
Minority Leader and Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin also weighed in, urging the government to respect dissenting voices.
“It started with Abronye. Now it’s Okatakyie Afrifa. The NDC government must be tolerant. Using State Security to intimidate opponents is not good for our democracy!” he warned.
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After mounting public pressure and an online campaign demanding his release, Afrifa Mensah was freed later that evening.
Confirming the release, NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye criticized the arrest, calling it unwarranted and unnecessary.
“We have just left the premises of National Security, and it is very disappointing to say that the arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa after his exams this evening was completely unnecessary and unwarranted. Thanks to the efforts of several individuals who intervened, he has been released. Free speech cannot be suppressed under the guise of an investigation. If that is the case, then National Security should be prepared to arrest all of us,” Boakye posted on Facebook.
