Media personality Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah was released after being arrested on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. His arrest triggered strong backlash from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and media freedom advocates, who condemned it as an attack on democracy and press freedom.
Afrifa Mensah, known for hosting the popular social media show FOR THE RECORDS, was reportedly detained by security operatives. The NPP described the arrest as a direct attack on freedom of speech, with General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua calling for his immediate release. Kodua accused the government of undermining democracy, stating, “The arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah by the NDC government is a dangerous attack on democracy and freedom of speech!”
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin also condemned the arrest, calling for more tolerance from the government toward dissenting voices. He expressed concern over the increasing use of state security to intimidate political opponents.
Following public outcry and a campaign for his release, Afrifa Mensah was freed later that evening. NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye also criticized the arrest, calling it “unnecessary and unwarranted” and reaffirmed that free speech should not be suppressed.
The arrest of Afrifa Mensah coincided with a high-profile National Security operation at the home of former BoG Governor Dr. Ernest Addison, where operatives disabled the CCTV system and seized vehicles.
