Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Godwin Ako Gunn, has described his arrest in the Montie 3 saga as a turning point that eventually became a blessing in disguise for his political career.
Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam, Mr. Ako Gunn reflected on his past political setbacks and how events surrounding the controversial Montie FM case unexpectedly pushed him into national prominence.
According to him, before the incident, he had suffered a series of political defeats within the NDC.
“I contested Deputy Regional Secretary for Greater Accra, I lost. In 2016, I contested Parliamentary Primaries in Okaikwei North, I lost that too,” he recounted.
Mr. Ako Gunn explained that his fortunes changed after the Montie 3 incident, which led to his arrest alongside two others over controversial comments made on Montie FM.
“By God’s grace, the Montie 3 issue happened and I contested national election and won. Ask yourself how did that happen?” he stated.
According to him, the arrest shifted public attention toward him and elevated his standing within the party.
“That arrest took me from the back seat to the front seat. I’m telling you,” he said.
The NDC communicator noted that situations often intended to harm or intimidate people can sometimes work in their favour.
“So what I am arriving at, as they say, sometimes you wish something for the bad of somebody, but it can end up to the good of that person,” he explained.
He urged people to act with a clear conscience, warning that attempts to suppress or target individuals politically may unintentionally strengthen them.
“Sometimes, we should do things with a clear conscience because we may be doing it to intimidate or subdue someone but it may be a blessing in disguise,” he added.
Mr. Ako Gunn further cautioned against what he described as “whimsical arrests,” arguing that such actions can generate sympathy and public support for affected individuals.
“So, this whimsical arrest and all that, I am a little careful about it. It gives sympathy. It gives a lot to the person, depending on who he is,” he said.
He, however, admitted that public reaction to arrests may differ based on the personality involved.
“There are people who when you arrest, people get excited because the person is annoying but that’s a different story altogether,” he added.
A radio host with Accra-based Montie FM, Salifu Maase, and two panelists, Alistair Nelson and Ako Gunn, were found guilty of scandalising the Supreme Court and sentenced to four months in prison.
The trio, together with directors of the radio station and the owner, pleaded guilty to contempt charges and were sentenced on July 27, 2016.
Apart from the four-month jail term, they were each fined GH¢10,000, while three of the directors also paid GH¢10,000 each, and the owner was fined GH¢30,000.
But barely a month after being in jail, the three heaved a sigh of freedom following the remission of their sentence by then President, John Dramani Mahama.
Mr. Mahama pardoned the three following advice by the Council of State and on compassionate grounds, even though hundreds of party foot soldiers and top appointees signed petitions for their release.
On November 18, 2028, Mr Gunn was elected Deputy NDC Communication officer after he polled 1816 votes to place second in the contest.
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