Why NDC's Awutu Senya East parliamentary aspirant has been arrested and Mahama's call for 'immediate' release

Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, who is contesting the 2024 parliamentary election in Awutu Senya East constituency of the Central Region on the ticket of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), was arrested and detained by the police on Friday [June 7].

The police did not immediately publicly explain why she was arrested and detained.

She was reportedly detained over night at the Cantonments Police Station in Accra before she was released before midday,

Read also: NDC's Awutu Senya East parliamentary aspirant released by police

Indications were that, the arrest was in connection with a gun which was found in her vehicle on Sunday June 2, 2024 in addition to a riotous action involving some NDC and New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters at the Electoral Commission office in the constituency, where there was a vote transfer exercise underway.

The chaotic incident at the EC office following a disagreement between observers of the two political parties last Sunday led to the stabbing of one person.

Koryoo Okunor was arrested together with one Mustapha Mohammed and Abdul Aziz Musah,

They were reportedly apprehended while traveling in a Honda CRV vehicle with registration number GX 2044-19 near the Electoral Commission (EC) office at Ofaakor near Kasoa.

She was held at the Cantonments Police station.

Even though the police did not immediately officially comment on the arrest, reports suggested the said gun was reportedly registered in her name but indications were that, there was a discrepancy in the spelling of her name on the document indicating the gun belonged to her.

The Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, however, countered that claim saying, "the claim of a discrepancy in her first name is totally false." 

Her arrest and detention was received with varied reactions especially from NDC members, some of whom massed up at the Cantonments Police station in Accra and demanded her release.

Their accusation was that, the arrest was a political persecution being carried out by elements within the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

John Mahama's reaction

Former President John Dramani Mahama, who is the flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress condemned the arrest. 

In a statement, Mr Mahama said the action was needlessly raising the political temperature in the country and sparking avoidable tension.

He, therefore, called for the immediate release of Naa Koryo.

"Clearly, the intention to detain her after she had already been granted bail is an attempt to intimidate the NDC Parliamentary candidate in her quest to unseat the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hawa Koomson, in the Awutu Senya East Constituency," Mr Mahama said . 

"I urge the IGP to urgently reconsider his actions and release Naa Koryoo immediately for the sake of justice and the stability of our nation," he added.  

“There is no justification for the decision by the Inspector General of Police George Dampare, on the orders of the National Security Advisor, Albert Kan Dapaah, to detain a Parliamentary Candidate for the Awutu Senya East Constituency in Police custody,” Mr Mahama stated.

“This action, taken on the instructions of the National Security Secretariat, will needlessly raise the political temperature in the country and spark avoidable tension."

“The Police Service and the IGP must not allow themselves to be used to hang the peace and stability of our nation months before crucial national elections." 

“We cannot allow the police service to be used to stifle opposition and intimidate innocent Ghanaians and political opponents in the run-up to the 2024 elections”, he stated. 

Below is a copy of the full statement from Mr Mahama's office

Mahama condemns detention of NDC PC & calls for her release. 

Accra, Ghana— Former President John Mahama has spoken out against the decision by the police to detain the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Awutu Senya East Constituency, Naa Koryoo, calling it a move that will raise political tensions and spark avoidable tension.

Mahama urged the IGP and the government to recognise the importance of justice in maintaining peace and stability and called for Naa Koryoo's immediate release.  

Please find below the full post on X and Facebook by the NDC flag bearer:  

There is no justification for the decision by the Inspector General of Police George Dampare, on the orders of the National Security Advisor, Albert Kan Dapaah, to detain a Parliamentary Candidate for the Awutu Senya East Constituency in Police custody.  

This action, taken on the instructions of the National Security Secretariat, will needlessly raise the political temperature in the country and spark avoidable tension.

The Police Service and the IGP must not allow themselves to be used to hang the peace and stability of our nation months before crucial national elections.  

I call on the IGP, the Peace Council, the government, and the people of Ghana to recognise that justice is not just a moral imperative but a crucial prerequisite for maintaining peace and stability in a nation.

We cannot allow the police service to be used to stifle opposition and intimidate innocent Ghanaians and political opponents in the run-up to the 2024 elections.

Clearly, the intention to detain her after she had already been granted bail is an attempt to intimidate the NDC Parliamentary candidate in her quest to unseat the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hawa Koomson, in the Awutu Senya East Constituency.

I urge the IGP to urgently reconsider his actions and release Naa Koryoo immediately for the sake of justice and the stability of our nation.  

It is high time the police fulfilled their duty to serve and protect all citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations. #JusticeForNaaKoryoo #FreeNaaKoryooNow 

Joyce Bawah Mogtari  
Special Aide & Spokesperson 
Friday, June 07, 2024.