The communications team of media personality and New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary hopeful, Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, has issued a detailed statement addressing the circumstances surrounding his arrest by the Ashanti North Regional Police Command, insisting that he acted in defence of a court injunction and a directive from the party’s national leadership.
According to the statement issued on Sunday, July 12, 2026, Mr. Afrifa Mensah was arrested at approximately 7:30 a.m. at Wiamoase in the Afigya Sekyere East Constituency after he reportedly visited an election centre where constituency executive elections were allegedly being conducted despite a court injunction and a suspension directive from the NPP’s National Steering Committee.
Background to the Dispute
The statement explained that on July 6, 2026, the NPP National Steering Committee, acting through the Acting National Chairman, directed the immediate suspension of the Afigya Sekyere East Constituency Executive elections pending the determination of an ongoing court case.
According to the communications team, the directive followed an interim injunction issued by the Kumasi High Court, which restrained the party and its officials from proceeding with aspects of the polling station, electoral area coordinator and constituency executive elections in the constituency until the substantive case before the court is determined.
Despite the injunction and the party’s directive, the statement alleged that some constituency officials, together with Nana Nkansah Buadu, identified as the Chief of Agric Nzema and the father of the sitting Member of Parliament for the area, Mavis Nkansah Buadu, allegedly proceeded with arrangements to conduct the elections.
The statement further claimed that ballot papers were printed and a constituency delegates album was produced to facilitate the electoral process.
Reason for Afrifa’s Presence
The communications team maintained that Mr. Afrifa Mensah, who has publicly declared his intention to contest the NPP parliamentary primaries, went to the election venue solely to verify reports that the suspended elections were taking place and to serve notice of both the court injunction and the party’s suspension directive on election officials.
It rejected suggestions that he intended to disrupt the process, insisting that he was accompanied by supporters who were unarmed and had no intention of engaging in violence.
Allegations Against Police
The statement accused police officers deployed to the venue of physically assaulting Mr. Afrifa Mensah and some of his supporters before arresting them.
It further alleged that the officers acted on the instructions of Nana Nkansah Buadu.
According to the statement, neither Mr. Afrifa Mensah’s family nor his lawyers were informed of his whereabouts for several hours following the arrest, creating anxiety among supporters and the public.
His team also dismissed claims that he has links to any vigilante group, stating that he has never owned or operated such an organisation.
Transfer to Asante Mampong
The communications team confirmed that Mr. Afrifa Mensah was later transferred at about 5:00 p.m. to the Divisional Police Command at Asante Mampong, where he remains in police custody pending further legal processes.
It also alleged that Mr. Afrifa Mensah and four members of his team sustained gunshot injuries during the incident and are currently receiving medical treatment.
Call for Calm
Despite the developments, the communications team appealed to party members, supporters and the general public to remain calm and avoid any actions that could undermine public order or interfere with ongoing legal proceedings.
The statement reaffirmed Mr. Afrifa Mensah’s commitment to the New Patriotic Party, describing him as someone dedicated to contributing to the party’s growth through lawful and democratic means.
It expressed confidence that due process would establish the facts surrounding the incident and pledged to provide further updates through his legal representatives and authorised spokespersons as investigations continue.
The statement was signed by the Communications Directorate of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah and issued on July 12, 2026.
Editor’s Note:
The allegations contained in the statement are the claims of Mr. Afrifa Mensah’s communications team and have not yet been independently verified.
Police authorities had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication.
