S/R: NPP Youth Wing Condemns Arrest of Party Activist Obama Pokuase and Others

The Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Savannah Region has issued a strongly worded statement condemning what it describes as the “shameful” arrest and detention of three individuals.

The individuals who were picked up from yesterday and at dawn today by National Security Operatives are Fante Comedy, Yayra Abiwu, and and NPP Activist,Mr. Daniel Adomako, known otherwise as Sir Obama Pokuase.

The Police, afternoon released a statement detailing the supposed crimes of the suspects. In the case of Sir Obama Pokuase, the police said his arrest and subsequent detention was to help investigate video he posted in which civilians are seen wielding weapons thought to be powerful.

However, the NPP Youth Wing in the Savannah Region believes National Security Operatives have been weaponised against political opponents by the Government of the National Democratic Congress.

In a Statement, Regional Youth Organizer, Raphael Mahama Akati, accused the John Mahama-led administration of abusing state power and engaging in politically-motivated intimidation of opposition members.

According to the statement, the arrest of the social media enthusiasts represent a reprehensible affront to the very foundations of our democracy and a betrayal of the trust Ghanaians placed in our institutions of state.

The youth wing also criticised the timing of the arrests, noting that they came during a period of national mourning over the recent military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight public officials.

“One would’ve thought the NDC government would seize the opportunity to unite the nation… Alas! They’ve chosen to trivialize the occasion and return to politically bizarre witch-hunting,” the release said.

Mr. Akati compared the current administration’s actions to what he described as the more tolerant leadership of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who, he noted, repealed the criminal libel law and promoted freedom of expression.

He vowed that the NPP youth would not be silenced and would continue to advocate for the rights of citizens, warning that the alleged abuse of power will not go unchecked.

The Youth Wing demanded for the “immediate release” of the detained party members and pledged to hold the players in the current government accountable under the next NPP administration.

READ THE YOUTH WING FULL STATEMENT BELOW.

For Immediate Release…

THE NPP SAVANNAH REGIONAL YOUTH WING CONDEMS THE SHAMEFUL ARRESTS AND DETENTION OF FANTE COMEDY, YAYRA & SIR OBAMA POKUASE.

Wednesday 13th August, 2025.

The Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party in the Savannah Region is deeply alarmed by the rampant disregard for the rule of law and human rights evident in the gangsterism styled arrest of individuals associated with the opposition NPP in recent times. The arrests of Fante Comedy, Yayra and Sir Obama Pokuase is a reprehensible affront to the very foundations of our democracy. The actions of our National Security are not merely an abuse of power, they are a betrayal of the trust Ghanains placed in our institutions of state and a direct threat to the freedoms we hold dear.

In this momentous occasion of National bereavement; the pain and frustration of family, friends and the public on the tragic loss of 8 public officials involving a military helicopter crash, one would’ve thought the NDC government will cease the opportunity to unite the nation not only in grief but on a national development journey. Alas! They’ve chosen to triviliase the occasion and went straight back into the polarized and politically bizarre witch-hunting expedition.

As a youth leader, let it be on record on behalf of all Constituency Youth Organizers and the Youth in general condemns in the strongest possible term, the hostile arrest, intimidation and detention of NPP members by the NDC government; and demands the immediate release of the trio in the custody of national security operatives. The NPP is a law abiding organization and will only support lawful process of handling acts of citizens without abusing their right to freedom and human dignity enshrined in the constitution.

The erstwhile Nana Addo /Bawumia government accepted criticism and ensured a free and fair society devoid of infringement of citizens right to free expression; under the strongest provocation by the current crop of Ministers and CEOs throwing their weight around, President Akufo-Addo showed leadership as the man behind the repel of the libel law from a criminal to civil offence.

Finally! We’ll not be silenced, we will not be deterred. We’ll continue to speak out against injustice, to advocate for the rights of the marginalized and oppressed, and to demand that President Mahama uphold the principles of democracy and human dignity.

The current abuse of power by the NDC will not go unchecked, whether for political or personal gain; your actions will be held accountable and we’ll fight tirelessly to ensure that justice is served under the next NPP government.

………Signed……….
Raphael Mahama Akati.
[ NPP Youth Organizer, Savannah Region].