The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced plans to hold a demonstration in Sunyani on Wednesday, April 22, in protest against what it describes as the unwarranted arrest of some of its officials.
The party’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, made the disclosure during an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News. He explained that the protest, dubbed the “Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna Demo,” is being organised by the party’s Sunyani East Constituency.
According to him, the planned demonstration is in response to what the party views as growing intimidation and a clampdown on free speech.
“Following a series of what we consider unwarranted arrests, the New Patriotic Party, through our Sunyani East Constituency, is organising a demonstration dubbed the ‘Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna Demo.’ We are not afraid of these actions or the criminalisation of free speech. We believe that democracy is under attack,” he stated.
The protest follows the recent arrest of the party’s Sunyani East Communications Officer, Abubakar Yakubu, also known as Baba Amando.
He was picked up over allegations of offensive conduct, false publication and the circulation of statements considered likely to incite fear and panic.
Although he has since been granted bail in the sum of GH¢30,000 with two sureties, party officials insist the arrest raises serious concerns about the protection of free expression and democratic governance.
