Police release Bernard Mornah after 'unfortunate' arrest

Chairman of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Bernard Mornah has been released from police custody after an “unfortunate” arrest by the Nima Police Command on Saturday morning for taking part in an illegal gathering.

Bernard Mornah was picked up by the police along with security analyst, Irbard Ibrahim and others who had gathered at the Kawukudi Park near Accra Girls Senior High School to garner support for the people of Togo who want the Gnassingbe dynasty gone.

Speaking in an interview with Ghanaweb immediately after his release, Mr Mornah said the action of the police was “uncouth” as he could not fathom why the Director of Operations for the Accra Command, Chief Superintendent Kwesi Ofori and his men would do that.

He, described his arrest as “strange” and accused National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, of “hobnobbing” with the government of Togo, which, in his view, suggested that “Ghana is complicit in the undemocratic order in Togo.”

The PNC Chairman bitterly lamented his arrest saying, “My rights and image have been violated. Pictures of me have been taken whiles in Police cells and splashed all over the internet as if I am a criminal. My rights have been violated, and indeed my Lawyer will act appropriately.”

Narrating the incident that led to his arrest, Mr. Mornah said he was at the rally grounds when three Police Nissan pickup trucks patrolled the premises and left - following another “Riot Police” in a white Tundra pickup truck which also patrolled the premises and left.

Upon their return, Mr. Mornah said the police “threw me into the Pickup as a piece of wood and brought me to the police station.”



According to him, the police were given prior notice about the gathering, hence the reason for their arrest is unfounded.

He explained that, “The Police know much more than I should tell them and the public order act requires that if for any reason they will not be able to come and cover as the law pertains and they need to justify their reasons through the court, and the court is the only reason to halt this manifestation. Failing that, what the Police is telling us is that they do not respect the laws, so are they encouraging us that next time we shouldn’t notify them and we can go on with our protestation.”

He believes the actions of the Police are unreasonable and challenge the attitude of the modern day Police.

Meanwhile, he said his lawyer has served the Nima Police a notice demanding his whereabouts and answers to whether he has been arraigned before court per the charges and offences for his arrest.

As the convener of the Ghana-Togo Solidarity Movement, Bernard Mornah is also demanding the release of 12 other persons who were detained by the Nima Police; including a female.

“Many countries have organized rallies in solidarity with people suffering, why can’t Ghana organize a peaceful rally in solidarity with a neighbour we share a border with,” he queried.