National Organiser of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) , Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, has accused the government of suppressing free speech following the alleged arrest of the party’s Agona West Constituency Organiser, David Essandoh.
In a statement issued on his Facebook page, Nana B claimed that Mr. Essandoh was picked up by about 10 armed officials believed to be from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) over a social media post which read “Dumsor is back” alongside a picture of President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the NPP National Organiser, the arrest occurred on Sunday May 10, around 6:30 p.m. near Mr. Essandoh’s residence at Agona Swedru in the Central Region while he was seated by the roadside with a friend.
He alleged that a black Toyota Land Cruiser initially stopped near them for about two minutes before driving away.
The vehicle reportedly returned minutes later with another Land Cruiser, after which one of the occupants, said to be armed with a pistol, approached Mr. Essandoh and demanded his mobile phone.
The statement further alleged that the men subsequently drove him away without informing family members or witnesses about his destination.
Nana B said attempts by Mr. Essandoh’s relatives and lawyers to locate him after the arrest had proven unsuccessful.
Describing the incident as part of what he termed the “criminalisation of free speech,” the NPP National Organiser questioned whether commenting on the return of erratic power supply popularly known as “dumsor” should attract such security action.
“Is Dumsor not a reality facing every Ghanaian today?” the statement queried.
Nana “B” also accused the government of increasing political intolerance and using state security agencies to intimidate opposition figures.
He argued that democratic governance protects freedom of expression, including criticism, satire, caricature and political commentary.
Nana B warned that the opposition party would resist any attempt to silence its members through intimidation, adding that the NPP could organise a massive demonstration if what he described as harassment of opposition voices continues.
Authorities are yet to officially comment on the alleged arrest or the claims made by the NPP National Organiser.
By 1960news.com
