Full Details: Why And How Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah Was Arrested And Handcuffed By National Security

New information has come to light regarding the dramatic arrest of media personality and former Angel FM morning show host, Okatakyie Afrifa, by operatives of the National Security Secretariat on Wednesday night. The arrest, which has been likened to a scene from an action movie, has sparked widespread criticism and raised concerns about press freedom in Ghana.

Initial reports about the arrest were vague, but it has since been revealed that Afrifa was detained following his outspoken criticism of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s approach to combating illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey.” Afrifa, the host of the popular show For The Records, was reportedly arrested after writing an examination at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

The arrest has ignited public outrage, with many Ghanaians accusing the government of using heavy-handed tactics to silence its critics. In an attempt to justify the arrest, National Security operatives later claimed that they had received intelligence suggesting Afrifa’s life was in danger and that the detention was for his own protection. However, this explanation has been met with skepticism, particularly as Afrifa was reportedly handcuffed during the arrest—a move that many argue is inconsistent with the idea of providing protection.

The incident drew swift reactions from prominent members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), including National Youth Organizer Henry Nana Boakye, also known as Nana B. Nana B and other NPP officials reportedly stormed the National Security Secretariat to secure Afrifa’s release. In an interview with Accra-based Happy FM, Nana B condemned the arrest as unnecessary, arbitrary, and unjustified. He questioned why Afrifa was targeted for speaking on an issue as critical as illegal mining, which has become a major national concern.

Nana B also pointed out that Afrifa had been vocal about illegal mining during the previous Akufo-Addo administration but was never arrested for his views. He warned President Mahama and the NDC government against actions that could tarnish their reputation, stating, “President Mahama, you had an emphatic endorsement. Do not let these sorts of things disgrace you.” He further cautioned security agencies to prepare for a sustained fight against illegal mining, vowing that the NPP would not back down.

The Arrest: A Firsthand Account

Kwame Appiah Kubi, a fellow media personality and colleague of Afrifa, provided a detailed account of the incident. According to Kubi, he and Afrifa had gone to GIMPA to write an examination and parted ways afterward. While driving on the N1 highway toward Multichoice, Kubi received a call informing him that Afrifa had been arrested by National Security operatives. Kubi immediately mobilized a team, including lawyers, and headed to the National Security Secretariat, commonly referred to as the Blue Gate.

Upon arrival, they were initially told that Afrifa had not been brought to the Secretariat but was instead taken to the Ministries Police Station. This information later proved to be false, as it was discovered that Afrifa was indeed being held at the Secretariat. After more than two hours of waiting, Afrifa was released without any formal charges.

NPP Condemns the Arrest

The NPP has strongly condemned the arrest, describing it as part of a broader pattern of state-sponsored attacks on the media under the NDC government. In a statement, the party accused the government of attempting to silence critics and undermine press freedom. The NPP praised the lawyers and individuals who intervened to secure Afrifa’s release, as well as the many Ghanaians who spoke out against the arrest.

The statement also reminded President Mahama and his administration that Ghana has long been a beacon of democracy in Africa, with a strong commitment to upholding press freedom as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution. The NPP called on the Ghana Journalists Association, the Media Foundation for West Africa, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to join in demanding an end to what it described as a growing culture of tyranny and state-sponsored intimidation of the media.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com