Arrest Of Journalists Inappropriate; Sometimes Use 'Caution Statements' - Opanyin Agyekum Tells Police

Dean of the School of Performing Arts of the University of Ghana, Professor Kofi Agyekum has expressed his unhappiness over the recent arrest of some journalists and persons in the country.

A popular Ghanaian social activist who recently led a protest against President Nana Akufo-Addo's government has been arrested after declaring his support for a coup.

Oliver Barker-Vormawor, leader of the pressure group #FixTheCountry, was reportedly detained on his arrival from the UK at an airport on Friday.

Mr. Barker-Vormawor posted on social media that he will stage a coup should Parliament pass the contentious e-levy bill.
 
"If this E-Levy passes... I will do the coup myself. Useless Army!", he said in a series of posts on Facebook.

"The post contained a clear statement of intent with a possible will to execute a coup in his declaration of intent to subvert the constitution of the Republic of Ghana," a police statement read.

He is charged with treason felony.

Also, a journalist named Kwabena Bobie Ansah, host of ''the Citizen show'' on Accra FM, was arrested by persons purported to be National Security operatives after his show on Thursday, February 10, 2022.

His arrest was in connection with allegations he leveled against the First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo.

Bobie Ansah accused the First Lady of stealing some government lands and turning them into his private property.

Speaking on Peace FM's morning show ''Kokrokoo'', Prof. Kofi Agyekum, popularly called ''Opanyin Agyekum'' found the arrests inappropriate and advised the security agencies to sometimes use caution statements to admonish people who make uncouth and libelous statements.

''For me, it's not appropriate that today someone will say something, then gets arrested. Sometimes, I think they should be cautioned'', he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.

Opanyin Agyekum also asked journalists to watch their tongues when speaking on air.

He further cautioned political parties to stop backing people arrested for slander or any other wrongdoing stressing such behavior by politicians ''doesn't inspire development''.

''So, when someone says something and is in favor of the NPP, the NPP doesn't usually find anything wrong with what the person says...The same way if it's an NDC sympathizer or member who's made a certain statement which we all in this country should accept it's inappropriate, you will get his or her party members defending him or her...This creates mayhem in the country. It ruins the freedom in the country'', he emphasized.