The Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Kwame Baffoe, widely known as Abronye DC, has been released from police custody together with Baba Amando after meeting bail conditions at the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters in Accra.
Their release followed the intervention of the Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin, who executed the bail bond and commended the cooperation of the Inspector General of Police and the CID leadership. The two had earlier been picked up and transported from Sunyani to Accra, where they were held for questioning.
Afenyo Markin, speaking to the media after securing their release, explained the circumstances leading to the bail arrangement and acknowledged the role played by the police in reaching a resolution.
“This is the system we are in. We heard of the arrest of our Chairman Abronye and they brought him all the way from Sunyani. We engaged with the police and they have been reasonable. The initial plan was to detain them but we discussed the need to release them on bail.”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin
He added that an agreement was reached for him to stand surety, leading to the execution of the bail bond for both Abronye DC and Baba Amando. According to him, the police have set reporting conditions which the two are expected to comply with. He further expressed appreciation to the police leadership for their responsiveness despite the late hours of engagement.
“They have released the two of them and set conditions for reporting. We are thankful to them and want to draw attention to tolerance in a democracy. Let me again thank the IGP and the CID boss for accommodating us.”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin
Following their release, Abronye DC was seen interacting with his legal team, including Lawyer Enoch Afoakwah, and the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. However, Abronye declined to comment publicly on the matter, while Afenyo Markin also indicated that there would be no further remarks on the specifics of the charges at this stage. Party officials, including the Second Deputy Minority Chief Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib and the National Organizer Henry Nana Boakye, were present at the CID headquarters during the process.
Opposition Criticizes Government Over Arrests, Claims Intimidation
Concerns have been raised by members of the New Patriotic Party over what they describe as a growing trend of using state security institutions to suppress dissenting voices following the arrest and release of Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye DC, and Baba Amando.
The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Hon. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, criticized the government’s approach, arguing that the development signals misplaced priorities at a time when the country is grappling with significant economic and security challenges.
According to him, the decision to arrest individuals over comments they have made does not align with the pressing needs of citizens, particularly issues related to employment, infrastructure, and safety. He stressed that many Ghanaians continue to face hardship, while concerns about insecurity remain on the rise.
He further questioned the use of state security agencies in matters involving political expression, suggesting that such actions risk diverting attention from more urgent national concerns. He maintained that governance should be focused on improving living conditions rather than responding to criticism with arrests.
The MP also drew comparisons with past political developments, pointing to instances where the current ruling party made controversial remarks without facing similar consequences when in oppoisition. He argued that the current situation raises questions about consistency and fairness in the handling of such matters.
“Can you imagine Sam George arrested for the things he said about the former supreme court judge? Imagine if they had been arrested for things they said. President Akufo Addo was caricatured by their own cartoonist but no one was arrested.”
Hon. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah
His remarks come amid growing concern within the party that the arrests may signal an attempt to limit open political discourse, with fears that such actions are on the ascendancy. Party officials say this trend could undermine democratic principles, especially the need for tolerance and the protection of free expression in a democratic state.
The National Organizer of the party, Henry Nana Boakye, also expressed concern over the implications of the arrests, suggesting that the Government uses this to churn public attention from key national issues. He also believed that the Government is under pressure with a variety issues, most notably, the Anti-LGBTQ bill.
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