The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set to stage a demonstration on Wednesday, April 22, in Sunyani, in protest against what it describes as the unwarranted arrest of its members.
National Organiser of the party, Henry Nana Boakye, confirmed the planned protest during an interview on Eyewitness News on Monday, April 20. He indicated that the demonstration, dubbed “Yen Suro Ahunahuna Demo,” is being organised by the party’s Sunyani East Constituency.
According to him, the protest is a direct response to what the party views as an emerging pattern of intimidation and the criminalisation of free expression. He stressed that the NPP will not be cowed by what it believes are politically motivated arrests, cautioning that such actions risk undermining Ghana’s democratic foundations.
“Following a series of what we consider unwarranted arrests, the New Patriotic Party, through our Sunyani East Constituency, is organising a demonstration dubbed the ‘Yen 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 planned demonstration follows the recent arrest of the Sunyani East Communications Officer of the NPP, Abubakar Yakubu, popularly known as Baba Amando. He was picked up over allegations of offensive conduct, false publication, and the circulation of statements deemed likely to incite fear and panic.
He has since been granted bail to the sum of GH¢30,000 with two sureties and released, pending further investigations.
The NPP maintains that the circumstances surrounding the arrest raise concerns about freedom of expression and insists the protest will serve as a platform to resist ‘ harassment’ of its members.
