NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, has joined calls for the release of NPP social media activist Efya Royal, who has reportedly been detained by state security authorities.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday (8 September) COKA described the decision to arrest and detain the activist as “a very sad one”, insisting that intelligence agencies must operate professionally and within the limits of their powers.
He specifically mentioned the National Signals Bureau and the Special Investigation Unit of the Ghana Police Service CID, urging the security agencies to ensure that their investigations are based on accurate intelligence. He cautioned the security agencies against arresting people based on what he described as misconstrued or false identities.
“Intelligence agencies worldwide operate with precision and are not based on the abuse of their powers of arrest.”
“National Signals Bureau and the Special Investigation Unit of the Ghana Police CID must stay on top of their jobs and not arrest innocent people based on misconstrued or false identities.”
COKA further urged the security apparatus to uphold professionalism in the discharge of its mandate, stressing that Ghana must not be treated as a country where state institutions can operate without accountability.
“Ghana is not a banana republic. The state security apparatus should be professionally minded and free Efya Royal now.”
Ayew Afriye fumes
His comments come after Effiduase-Asokore MP Dr Nana Ayew Afriye criticised the involvement of Efya Royal in investigations into the identity and whereabouts of anonymous social media commentator “Ghana Jollof”.
Dr Ayew Afriye described the development as “the height of absurdity”, arguing that national security investigations should rely on precision, digital forensics and established investigative procedures rather than involving activists based on their perceived social or political connections.
AFAG blasts gov’t
The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has condemned what it describes as a growing pattern of intimidation, harassment and arrests of citizens who openly criticize the government, warning that dissent is being criminalized.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its leaders, including Dr. Samuel K. Frimpong, AFAG said it is deeply alarmed by recent developments in which security agencies appear more interested in pursuing government critics than protecting citizens and safeguarding the public interest.
“In a constitutional democracy, criticism of government is not a crime. Dissent is not treason. Asking difficult questions about the management of public resources is not an offense. And expressing an unpopular political opinion does not strip a Ghanaian of his or her fundamental rights,” the group stated.
AFAG said security agencies are established to protect the Constitution and the people of Ghana and not to become instruments for silencing political opponents, journalists, activists and citizens who disagree with the government.
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