The former Member of Parliament for Dormaa East, Hon. Paul Apreku Twum-Barimah, has strongly condemned what he describes as the growing trend of arbitrary arrests and political persecution under the current administration, following the recent arrest and detention of NPP firebrand, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye.
In a passionate statement posted on social media, the former MP criticized the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies for what he termed “a mockery of Ghana’s democratic credentials.” According to him, the arrest of Abronye, believed to be over a misdemeanor, reflects a broader pattern of suppressing dissent and intimidating political voices.
“This new trend of the security services, particularly the Ghana Police Service, arbitrarily arresting, detaining and persecuting political voices of dissent must be condemned in no uncertain terms,” he wrote.
Twum-Barimah further lamented what he perceives as a glaring double standard in the application of justice.
Drawing a comparison between Abronye’s remand and the granting of post-conviction bail to individuals who allegedly assaulted former MP Hawa Koomson and the NPP Deputy National Organizer, the former legislator questioned the integrity and impartiality of the justice system.
“How low have we sunk to grant persons who physically attacked former MP Hawa Koomson and NPP Deputy National Organizer at Ablekuma North a post-conviction bail, and yet remand into custody Abronye over a misdemeanor?”
He called on former President John Dramani Mahama, under whose administration the current security chiefs operate, to intervene and ensure that the rule of law is upheld fairly.
“President John Dramani Mahama, this is not right, and we expect you to call the security heads to order!”
Twum-Barimah also cautioned against a return to the dark era of criminal libel and sedition, warning that Ghana’s democratic gains must not be eroded by partisan policing and politically motivated arrests.
“The dark days of criminal libel and seditious laws cannot be re-lived; we’ve long passed that era! This is not, and can certainly not be what our forebears fought for.”
The arrest of Abronye has sparked considerable debate within the political landscape, with supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) alleging political witch-hunting, while others argue that the law must take its course regardless of political affiliation.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com