NPP criticises govt over arrest of party communicators, calls for judicial accountability

Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has vehemently criticized the Mahama administration following the arrest of some NPP communicators, including prominent member Abubakar Yakubu, popularly known as Baba Amando.

Ahiagbah’s remarks came after Baba Amando was remanded by an Accra Circuit Court on Monday, April 13, 2026, as part of investigations into allegations of offensive conduct, false publication, and circulating statements likely to incite fear and panic.

Ahiagbah pointed out that Baba Amando’s use of political satire as a tool to criticize the government should not be grounds for arrest. “The NPP cannot be silenced.

The arrest of our communicators for using political satire to criticize the government marks a new low in the decline we are witnessing under H.E. Mahama,” Ahiagbah posted on X (formerly Twitter). He further emphasized that satire is a widely accepted form of expression in democratic societies and will continue to thrive in Ghana despite governmental pushback.

Meanwhile, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, also condemned the judicial proceedings surrounding the case, particularly the two-week remand of the Sunyani East Communication Officer of the NPP. Afenyo-Markin criticized the conduct of the presiding judge, calling the decision improper and raising concerns about the fairness of the judiciary in such politically sensitive cases.

The Minority Leader was full of praise for the Ghana Police Service, commending their professionalism in handling the arrest and investigation.

“I want to commend the Ghana Police Service for their professionalism throughout this process,” Afenyo-Markin stated, acknowledging the efforts of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Director-General of the CID, and the police prosecutors involved. However, he did not hold back his criticism of the Circuit Court judge, labeling the judge’s decision as a “big shame” to the judiciary.

Afenyo-Markin also shared his concerns about the procedural missteps during the court proceedings.

According to him, the prosecution did not seek remand but had requested more time for forensic examinations related to the alleged social media publications. However, the court pressed the prosecution to apply for remand, despite the latter’s refusal.

The arrest of Baba Amando has drawn significant attention to the issue of free speech and political expression in Ghana. Many observers are now questioning the balance between upholding national security and protecting democratic freedoms, with the NPP asserting that no amount of intimidation will silence their party’s voice.