United Cadres Front Of Ghana, Tema Region Condemns Arrest Of Comrade Sylvester Mensah

PRESS RELEASE

The Tema Regional branch of the United Cadres Front (UCF) of Ghana, condemns in limitless terms the arrest of Comrade Sylvester Mensah by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).

We are particularly shocked and disappointed at the manner the operation was carried out in which Com. Mensah's private residence was raided in his absence, forcefully taken his Security Guard, after manhandling him, to the BNI's Headquarters. This to us is rather unfortunate and must be condemned as well as advocating for the security set-up to change from this 'medieval' style of doing things and shift to modern-day pracitces.

Our position is not in any way saying that the BNI and other statutory investigative institutions should not carry out their mandates. What we are against is that, and as has often been quoted that 'until proven GUILTY, a suspect remains INNOCENT' - we feel all suspects should be treated as such. And if this is the common position of law, why do we keep criminalizing suspects before they are charged with offences, tried and proven guilty?

Upon Comrade Sylvester Mensah's response to the BNI's operation by VOLUNTARILLY availing himself, depicts his willingness to have presented himself if he had been invited formerly to appear them. His reaction thus, has exposed the BNI's inner motive, for whatever reasons of the RAMBO-like action to apprehend a harmless citizen.

The United Cadres Front of Ghana, Tema Region, wish to add that our position in this regard has NOTHING, and absolutely NOTHING to do with whatever substantive case/cases for which Comrade Sylvester Mensah is being investigated. That, we cannot meddle but the needless humiliation of his person and family is of much concern to us - being a political organization that he belongs.

In times like this, we wish to urge you (Comrade Sylvester) as a cadre to face it with the courage that you have carried throughout your cadre-life and we believe you will come out VICTORIOUS. ALUTA CONTINUA!

Signed (January 7,2016)

Camillus Maalneriba-Tia Sakzeesi (Communications/Media Dept.)

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