The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to ensure what he describes as fairness in the treatment of government critics, arguing that if controversial commentator Kelvin Taylor is able to operate freely, then Camila Alhassan should not remain in detention.

In a strongly worded statement shared on x (formerly Twitter), Ahiagbah questioned what he described as the selective treatment of critics and urged the President to uphold democratic principles by applying equal standards regardless of political affiliation.

“Good morning, Your Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama. If Kelvin Taylor is moving around free, then Camila Alhassan should not be in jail. Fair is fair, Mr. President,” Ahiagbah wrote.

The NPP communications director alleged that the actions taken against Camila Alhassan were carried out in the President’s name and warned that such measures could undermine Mahama’s democratic legacy.

“This repressive action against Camila Alhassan was carried out in your name. The heavy-handedness does no favors for your legacy because such efforts can’t silence citizens in a democracy; they never worked in the past, and they won’t work now,” he stated.

Ahiagbah argued that arresting or harassing individuals who criticize the government would only generate more opposition rather than silence dissent.

According to him, citizens in a democracy will continue to voice their frustrations regardless of the consequences.

“The only thing to be gained from these arrests and harassment of critics of your government is more dissenters and critics. Eventually, the people will prevail because this is a democracy, and citizens will speak out or vent their frustrations regardless of the cost.”

He further maintained that the best way to reduce public criticism is through effective governance and tangible results, not the suppression of opposing voices.

“The only thing that silences dissent is results, but so far, the results are lacking; you cannot silence Ghanaians when the government fails to deliver. We will dissent even louder because it is our right to speak up.”

Ahiagbah also cautioned that continued repression could strengthen, rather than weaken, public opposition to the government.

“Your government will be overwhelmed by dissent if repression and suppression are your responses. More Camila Alhassans will emerge to hold your government accountable,” he concluded.

His comments add to the growing public debate surrounding the arrest and detention of Camila Alhassan, with supporters and critics offering differing views on the government’s handling of dissent and freedom of expression.

Media personality Kwame Afrifa Mensah, popularly known as Okatakyie Afrifa, has been granted bail by the Nsuta Circuit Court alongside six other accused persons over their alleged involvement in the disruption of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Afigya Sekyere East Constituency Executive Elections in the Ashanti Region.

Okatakyie Afrifa, 43, arrived at the court premises in an ambulance wearing bandages around his head and a cervical neck collar. He was also seen limping and required assistance while entering and leaving the courtroom.

The court, presided over by His Lordship Simon Nkatiah Gagah, granted Afrifa bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with three sureties, one of whom must be a government employee earning not less than GH¢4,000 per month.

The six other accused persons—Osman Awuni, 44, a driver; Kwabena Tsikata, 36, a private investigator; Bashiru Salifu, also known as Tinny, 39, an electrician; Kofi Antwi, 42, a driver; Paul Kofi Mensah, 41, a driver; and Simon Ndana, 27, also a driver—were each granted bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with two sureties.

Prosecution’s Case

Presenting the facts before the court, Chief Inspector Owusu Kobi Moses, who led the prosecution, said security intelligence gathered during a regional security meeting chaired by the Ashanti North Regional Police Commander, DCOP Felix Apedo, on Thursday, July 9, 2026, indicated that a group of suspected vigilantes from Accra and Kumasi had allegedly been recruited to disrupt the NPP constituency executive elections scheduled for Sunday, July 12, 2026, at Wiamoase.

According to the prosecution, following the intelligence report, the Regional Operations Unit and the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) were directed to verify the information and put in place preventive security measures to ensure the elections proceeded peacefully.

The prosecution told the court that at about 7:45 a.m. on the election day, Okatakyie Afrifa allegedly led approximately 30 suspected vigilante members to the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church polling station at Wiamoase.

The group was said to have arrived in a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number GN 7671-17, a Toyota Tundra pickup truck with an unknown registration number, and about five motorbikes.

Alleged Disruption and Arrests

Chief Inspector Moses stated that when police officers approached the group to determine why they were at the polling centre, the suspects allegedly became aggressive.

The prosecution alleged that members of the group assaulted some police officers and disrupted the electoral process by throwing election materials onto the ground, causing confusion at the polling station.

Following the incident, police officers arrested five of the accused persons at the scene, while several others reportedly fled.

The prosecution further told the court that Kwabena Tsikata later followed the police vehicle transporting the arrested suspects in the Toyota Land Cruiser and was subsequently arrested by the police.

Caution Statements

According to the prosecution, Paul Kofi Mensah, in his caution statement, allegedly admitted that the group had been engaged by Okatakyie Afrifa to disrupt the elections because some delegates believed to be loyal to him had allegedly been removed from the constituency electoral register.

The prosecution also alleged that in his own handwritten caution statement, Okatakyie Afrifa admitted engaging the other accused persons, together with others currently on the run, to assist in serving a court order.

Items Retrieved

The court also heard that police conducted searches during the arrests and allegedly recovered several items.

According to the prosecution, officers retrieved a spent BB cartridge from Kwabena Tsikata and Bashiru Salifu, as well as a NATO pepper spray and three toffees suspected to contain narcotic substances, commonly referred to as “wee toffees.”

Police also allegedly recovered another NATO pepper spray and one live BB cartridge from Paul Kofi Mensah.

Investigations Continue

The prosecution informed the court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing and that efforts are being intensified to arrest the remaining suspects who are currently at large.

Because investigations have not been concluded, the pleas of all seven accused persons were not taken.

The case has been adjourned to August 13, 2026, when the accused persons are expected to formally enter their pleas before the court.

source:Citinewsroom

The Ashanti Regional President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Kofi Adu Domfe, has defended the jailing of a TikToker over alleged defamatory comments about the President, insisting that freedom of speech does not give anyone the right to spread falsehoods.

Speaking on the growing controversy surrounding the case via a zoom interview on Kessben TV’s Digest show, Mr. Domfe cautioned that social media platforms must not become safe havens for reckless and defamatory content.
“The social media must not be used recklessly,” he stated.

He stressed that bloggers, influencers, and journalists should not hide behind the principle of free speech to justify defamatory publications.
“Bloggers and journalists must not frown on defamation law in the name of free speech.”
Mr. Domfe also expressed concern over the increasing number of unregulated online content creators, saying many people now claim to be journalists simply because they own smartphones.
“Everybody picks a phone and begins to claim they are news publishers, denting the image of ethical journalism.”

According to him, the media landscape requires greater accountability to protect the integrity of journalism and ensure the public receives credible information.
He therefore called for stronger regulation of new media platforms and content creators.
“We need to pay critical attention to the new media and streamline their activities.”

Commenting on the jailed TikToker’s remarks about the President, Mr. Dimfe argued that the statements amounted to unsubstantiated falsehoods that fall within the scope of criminal offences.
“What the woman said on social media about the President borders on defamation and unsubstantiated falsehood.”
He concluded by reminding media practitioners and online commentators that the constitutional right to free expression comes with responsibility.
“Freedom of speech has its limitation, so whether you are a blogger or a journalist, you must be responsible and mindful of the kind of information you spread to the public.”

His remarks come amid an intensifying national debate over online misinformation, responsible digital communication, and the balance between free expression and accountability on social media