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NPP parliamentary aspirant Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah arrested after Afigya Sekyere East constituency elections chaos
via GhanaWeb5 min read
Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah, a Ghanaian media personality and New Patriotic Party NPP parliamentary aspirant for Afigya Sekyere East, was reportedly arrested on Sunday, July 12, 2026, and spent the night in police custody. Videos circulating on social media show an injured Afrifa-Mensah, with visible bloodstains, being escorted by police officers to the Mampong Divisional Police Station in handcuffs. His arrest followed violence during the NPP Afigya Sekyere East Constituency executive elections in the Ashanti Region. Afrifa-Mensah's campaign team alleges he and supporters were assaulted and shot by police while attempting to serve a court notice. Blogger Dek360 reported that chaos erupted when Afrifa-Mensah tried to present a court injunction to halt the elections. The campaign team further claims that the Chief of Agric Nzema, Nana Nkansah Buadu, and some constituency officials printed their own ballot papers and prepared electoral materials to proceed with a suspended election, despite directives from the NPP National Steering Committee and a High Court injunction in Kumasi. The NPP National Steering Committee had directed the suspension of the Afigya Sekyere East Constituency Executive Committee elections on July 6, 2026, pending a court matter. Afrifa-Mensah's team stated he went to the election center to verify the situation and notify officials about the injunction and party directive, where he and supporters were allegedly attacked and arrested, sustaining gunshot injurie
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Dennis Miracles Aboagye, a New Patriotic Party NPP communications team member and former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation, has reportedly been arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office EOCO at the Accra International Airport. The arrest, which occurred on Sunday, July 12, 2026, upon his arrival from the United Kingdom, is linked to alleged corruption-related offenses. Multiple reports and posts from NPP members, including Kwesi Botchway Jnr, indicate that EOCO is investigating allegations of financial mismanagement during Aboagye's tenure as Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation. The reported arrest took place just hours after Aboagye announced his intention to contest for the position of National Communications Director of the NPP. NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong stated that Aboagye's lawyers have been denied access to him and that no formal charges have been brought. Kodua described the situation as an act of intimidation. As of the time of reporting, EOCO has not issued an official statement confirming the arrest, the specific allegations, or the NPP's claims regarding access to Aboagye. Prior to his role at the IMCC, Aboagye served as Municipal Chief Executive for Akuapem North and as a presidential staffer.
Must ReadGhana's opposition New Patriotic Party NPP has called for the immediate release of Dennis Miracles Aboagye, a prominent party figure, following his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office EOCO with assistance from the Ghana Immigration Service. The NPP describes the arrest as political intimidation, noting that Aboagye's legal team and family have been denied access to him, and his location remains undisclosed without formal charges. Aboagye, a vocal critic of the current administration, had recently announced his candidacy for a Director of Communications position within the NPP. The party leadership condemned the detention, arguing that state institutions are being used to silence dissent and that denying legal representation violates Article 142 of the 1992 Constitution. The NPP has issued an ultimatum for Aboagye's unconditional release or his processing before a court, demanding an end to what they term politically motivated arrests against their members. The party warned state security agencies that public institutions outlast governments and urged its supporters to remain calm and united.
Must ReadThe United Kingdom has updated its visa requirements, now mandating nationals from 33 African countries to obtain a visa before entering or transiting through the country. This change affects citizens from countries such as Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and others. The updated policy requires individuals from these nations to secure the appropriate UK visa prior to travel, even if they are only passing through. This measure is part of the UK government's ongoing review of immigration and border control procedures, aimed at strengthening entry protocols and ensuring compliance with its visa policies. Travelers from the listed countries are advised to check the latest requirements and apply for necessary visas before making travel arrangements to prevent disruptions. The UK continues to be a significant destination for African travelers for various purposes, including tourism, education, business, and family visits.