Press Freedom under scrutiny: A chronicle of arrests, detentions, and attacks on critics under the NPP government

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Over the past several years, Ghana has witnessed a troubling pattern of arrests, detentions, and physical assaults targeting journalists, activists, lawyers, and ordinary citizens who have spoken out against the government or exercised their constitutional rights to free expression and assembly. What follows is a comprehensive documentation of these incidents, drawn from verified reports and public records.

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Journalists Beaten, Arrested for Doing Their Jobs

Caleb Kudah, a journalist with Citi FM, was arrested on May 11, 2021, by National Security operatives for allegedly breaking a “No photography” rule while filming the premises of the Ministry of National Security. According to Kudah’s account, he was handcuffed and repeatedly slapped from behind while in custody. At one point, an officer identified as Agyeman ordered him to kneel and kicked him in the groin. Seven heavily built armed officers later stormed Citi FM’s offices to arrest a colleague, Zoe Abu-Baidoo, who had received files from Kudah. Both were released after the videos were deleted.

Captain Smart (Godsbrain Smart), the outspoken host of Onua TV/FM’s morning show, has been arrested no fewer than three times in less than 12 months. In December 2021, he was arrested for “unsavoury pronouncements that hinged on peace and security”. In February 2022, he was detained at National Security offices after a court hearing. In October 2022, he was picked up again by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB). The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) condemned his arrests as “Rambo-Style” operations.

Oheneba Boamah Bennie, a broadcaster with Power FM, was sentenced to 14 days in prison by an Accra High Court on February 8, 2022, for contempt of court. His offence? Publishing a video on Facebook claiming that President Akufo-Addo had influenced Supreme Court justices ahead of the 2020 election petition. He was also fined GHC 3,000.

Kwabena Bobbie Ansah, host of Accra FM’s “The Citizen Show,” was arrested on February 10, 2022, by National Security operatives who ambushed him after his late-night show. He was charged with publication of false news and offensive conduct after alleging that the First Lady and Second Lady had appropriated state lands. He was granted bail of GH¢50,000.

Eric Nana Gyetuah, a producer with Takoradi-based Connect FM, was attacked by at least five plainclothes police officers on February 3, 2022, after he photographed them sitting in a restaurant with suspects in handcuffs. The officers beat him with their fists and guns until his face was covered in blood, then dragged him to the station. He was diagnosed with a perforated eardrum. Inspector-General of Police George Akuffo Dampare later called to apologize.

Nicholas Morkah, a morning show host with Akyemansa FM, was attacked and beaten by six soldiers on October 19, 2023, after he began filming them assaulting a man in the Birim Central Municipal District. The soldiers wiped his phone and arrested him.

Selorm Gborbidzi, a reporter for The Finder newspaper, was arrested on January 14, 2021, by a police officer for filming a scuffle between the officer and a commercial driver.

Sacut Amenga-Etego, a freelance journalist, was arrested on February 25, 2022, by National Security operatives for filming them and arrested suspects on the premises of the High Court. He was beaten when he refused to hand over his phone.

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Lawyers and Activists Targeted

Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a lawyer and social activist, was arrested in February 2022 and charged with treason felony after he suggested in a social media post that a coup might occur if Parliament passed the controversial E-Levy bill. He was held for over three years before the Attorney-General dropped the charges in March 2025 and he was discharged.

Ralph St Williams, a convenor of the #FixtheCountry Movement, was arrested at Kotoka International Airport in September 2024 while travelling to Kumasi. His arrest came after a viral video showed him tearing down campaign posters of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at the National Cathedral construction site—a project that has already cost Ghana $58 million with little to show for it. His group believes the arrest was timed to intimidate activists ahead of a planned anti-galamsey protest.

Mensah Thompson, Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), was arrested in February 2022 for alleging that President Akufo-Addo and his relatives had used the presidential aircraft for a Christmas shopping trip to the UK. He was charged with publication of false news and granted GH¢50,000 bail.

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Citizens Arrested for Speech

Salamatu Mohammed, a mother of four, was arrested in November 2022 for wishing the president dead in a viral video. She was later released on bail.

Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson, popularly known as “Bulldog,” an artist manager, was arrested in January 2021 for saying on live television that President Akufo-Addo would not complete his term if Menzgold customers were not paid. He was later fined GH¢48,000 for threatening the president.

Efia Odo, the actress and social media personality, was arrested together with 14 others in June 2021 while demonstrating in support of the #FixTheCountry movement. They were released on bail.

Shalimar Abbiusi, the Belgian spokesperson for the political movement “The New Force,” was arrested in December 2023, detained, and eventually deported. The ECOWAS Court later ruled her deportation unlawful and ordered Ghana to compensate her.

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The Murder That Shook the Nation

Ahmed Hussein-Suale, an investigative journalist and key member of Tiger Eye PI, was shot and killed on January 16, 2019, in Madina, Accra, by unidentified gunmen on motorbike. He was shot three times—twice in the chest and once in the neck—while driving home. His murder sparked national and international outrage. In October 2025, the case against the accused businessman was discontinued by the Madina District Court following advice from the Attorney-General’s Office that evidence was insufficient.

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A Pattern of Intimidation

Civil society organizations and media freedom advocates have raised alarm over what they describe as a systematic crackdown on free expression. Critics have accused the government of effectively reintroducing the abolished Criminal Libel Law through the back door. The arrests have targeted not only journalists but also lawyers, activists, and ordinary citizens—often for statements made on social media or during protests.

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The Unanswered Question

Notably, none of these individuals were accused of threatening the president’s life, making allegations of a sexual nature, or claiming that the president used rituals to win elections. Their “crimes” were, in most cases, simply exercising their constitutional rights to free speech, peaceful assembly, and press freedom—rights enshrined in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.