CONTROVERSIAL MEDIA PERSONALITY OKATAKYIE AFRIFA ARRESTED BY NIB, HERE’S ALL THE DRAMA YOU MISSED

Controversial Ghanaian media personality Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah was reportedly arrested by operatives of the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, sparking a wave of outrage and political drama. The arrest of Afrifa-Mensah, a vocal critic of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration and host of the popular social media show For the Records, has ignited a fierce debate about press freedom and the use of state security to intimidate opposition voices.

How It Started

The drama began late on Wednesday evening when an audio message circulated on social media, alleging that Afrifa-Mensah had been picked up by NIB operatives at Achimota Mile 7. The news spread like wildfire, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding his arrest. While full details of the incident remain unclear, the development immediately drew sharp reactions from opposition leaders and supporters.

Reactions from the NPP

The arrest triggered a swift and forceful response from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), with top officials accusing the NDC-led government of targeting journalists and stifling free speech. The hashtag #FreeOkatakyieAfrifaNow began trending on social media as NPP leaders condemned the arrest.

• Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin took to social media, writing:
  “It started with Abronye. Now it’s Okatakyie Afrifa. The NDC Government must be tolerant! Using State Security to intimidate opponents is not good for our democracy! Okatakyie Afrifa must be released now!!!”
• NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong also weighed in, stating:
  “The arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, a journalist, by the NDC government is a dangerous attack on democracy and freedom of speech! Ghana must not descend into tyranny. He must be released NOW!”
• NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye added:
  “The NIB picking up Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah is a clear attempt to silence critics by the President Mahama-led administration. The NDC is doing everything possible to stifle the media. #FreeOkatakyieAfrifaNow.”

Okatakyie Afrifa’s Release

After approximately an hour of public outcry, Henry Nana Boakye confirmed that Afrifa-Mensah had been released following interventions by top NPP officials. In a Facebook post, Boakye expressed his disappointment with the arrest, describing it as “completely unnecessary and unwarranted.”

He wrote:
“We have just left the premises of National Security, and it is very disappointing to say that the arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa by National Security operatives after his exams this evening was completely unnecessary and unwarranted. Thanks to the efforts of several individuals who intervened, he has been released. Free speech cannot be suppressed under the guise of an investigation. If that is the case, then National Security should be prepared to arrest all of us.”

As of press time, government officials have yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrest or the circumstances surrounding it.

Source:NKONKONSA.com