Emmanuel Mensah
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly condemned the arrest of its Sunyani East Constituency Communications Officer, Abubakar Yakubu, popularly known as Baba Amando, describing the development as troubling and a threat to democratic freedoms.
In a statement issued on April 13, 2026, the party expressed concern over what it called the “unwarranted” arrest, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the incident raise serious questions about due process and the protection of civil liberties in Ghana.
According to the NPP, Mr. Yakubu, accompanied by his lawyer, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, honoured an invitation from the Ghana Police Service at the Bono Regional Police Headquarters earlier in the day. However, upon arrival, both men were reportedly informed by officers that there was no record of such an invitation.
The situation reportedly escalated after further engagement with the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra, which indicated that Mr. Yakubu was instead required in the capital. The CID subsequently instructed the Bono Regional Police Command to arrest him and arrange for his transfer to Accra.
The party criticised the sequence of events, questioning the coordination within the police service and describing the arrest as a potential abuse of state power. It further alleged that such actions contribute to a growing pattern of intimidation against dissenting voices.
The NPP also linked the incident to broader national concerns, suggesting it could be a diversion from pressing socio-economic challenges, including the rising cost of living, fuel prices, and utility tariffs.
Calling on Ghanaians to remain vigilant, the party urged state authorities to respect due process and uphold the rule of law. It emphasised the need to safeguard fundamental human rights, particularly freedom of speech and expression.
The statement was signed by the NPP National Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye.
Yaw Boagyan
