It has come to my attention that Sir Obama, a social media activist whose contribution to national development has been through constructive criticism and speaking truth to the powers that be on pressing national issues, has been detained by the National Security.
What is the rationale behind these recent arbitrary arrests by state security agencies?
As a nation, we are going through difficult times. We are mourning our fallen heroes — men who paid the ultimate sacrifice, by giving their lives in service to the country they loved and cherished. In such a period of grief and reflection, cheap political applications of the law and blatant abuse of power to serve parochial individual and partisan interests should not be tolerated by well-meaning Ghanaians, especially the clergy, civil society organisations, the National House of Chiefs, the diplomatic corps and labour organisations, particularly the Trade Union Congress.
Just two weeks ago, the media and an innocent, hungry citizen were subjected to open abuse by the military during the demolition of a warehouse belonging to businessman McDan.
A month earlier, in Ablekuma, citizens and a media personnel were shown “where power resides” by a police officer and hooligans reported to be members of the ruling government — with tacit approval from officialdom. The government under President Mahama not only justified the abuse meted out to Ghanaians but even applauded the wrongdoers for their intransigence.
When will politicians learn that position is not possession and power is transient?
We continue to deceive ourselves in the name of national unity — even invoking the name of Almighty God in our shenanigans through ill- conceived national days of prayer and fasting, while at the same venues we mastermind all sorts of evil machinations against one another.
Let us remember that the same template the NDC used to win power will be used by the NPP to unseat them.
When in opposition, the NDC and the the Ex- President Mahama used Kelvin Taylor to rain insults and insinuations on all tribes, chiefs, religious leaders, businessmen, and politicians, especially President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Bawumia.
If the approach now is to arrest those exercising what they once called “free speech” in opposition, then perhaps the NDC government should consider expanding our prisons to house all 34 million Ghanaians.
The voice of Dr. Richard Yeboah Asante
