The NPP UK and Ireland today condemns the arrest and imprisonment of Nana Darkwa and the arrest and detention of George Best, NPP supporters who were only excercising their basic human rights to free speech under our constitution. As much as we sympathaise with Ex-President Rawlings and his family’s loss of property through fire last Sunday, every one in Ghana has a right to express different opinions and a right to express a view.One does not have to agree with Mr Darkwa and Mr Best views .After all Zita Okai Koi did say there may be a hidden hand, Ex-President Kufuor said actions of Saboteurs could not be ruled out and should be investigated. Are these not expressions of opinion? Have we not had some of our leaders being called ‘Atta Ayi’, ‘cocaine addicts’ by NDC members like Fifi Kwetey and Koku Anyidoho, Ama Benyiwa Doe and others in the past ? were they arrested? George Best and Nana Adarkwa are not big men in Ghana so they can be arrested and maltreated at will .We humbly ask our Police Officers and our judicial authorities to use discretion in the discharge of their duties and we are sad that Rose Bio Atinga, Greater Regional Police Commander is fast turning the Greater Accra Regional Police Command into an armed wing of the NDC arresting political opponents at will. The circuit court judge should also bow his head in shame and we call on Chief Justice Georgina Wood to investigate and throw out this judge and others like him whose bizzare conduct make our laws a laughing stock
We are increasingly concerned about the culture of silence rising in the country,the creeping intolerance of opposing views,The surveillance ,spying and harrassment on political opponents, The recent attacks at Adom Fm , the beatings on Lawyer John Owusu Afriyie(Sir John) by Yamoah Ponkoh at a radio Station in Kumasi,The beating of Dr Asemfofro an NDC serial caller at NDC headquarters for criticising ex president Rawlings. All this points to a government which unable to meet the demands of our people , is trying to suppress dissenting views, restrict expression of diverse opinions , suffocate debate and intimidate media houses ,journalists and opinion leaders. We are also surprised that our journalists and especially our clergy are silent when these abuses take place.The return of the Criminal Libel Law through the backdoor we say!!!! This immmoral action and abuse of state machinery has no place in our current democratic dispensation and we demand the unconditional release of Nana Darkwa and George Best now!!!!
Nana Yaw Sarpong
Communications Offcer- For and behalf of NPP UK and Ireland
