My arrest is an honour; a political fiasco-John Kumah

John Kumah in a flashy smile after his release

A New Patriotic Party youth activist has described his arrest by the police as an honour, a quick path to stardom and a political fiasco by the governing National Democratic Congress.

John Kumah is likening his arrest to those of former South African and Ghana's Presidents Nelson Mandela and Kwame Nkrumah respectively, and opposition leader in the first Republic JB Danquah, all of whom were arrested for political reasons.

He told the media soon after his discharge from the Police that he feels proud to have been arrested fighting for his party and championing the freedom of speech for the country.

The NPP youth activist was arrested Wednesday afternoon during a radio discussion programme by the police for what sources say was his offensive comment.

He is alleged to have called President John Mills a homosexual in apparent reaction to a similar insult hurled against the NPP flagbearer by an NDC activist on the same programme.

He was later released on the orders of the President, deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated.

At the precincts of the Police Headquarters where activists of the NPP had swarmed chanting slogans of “Be Bold,” “All-die-be-die”, the youth activist could not hide anymore his sudden rise to stardom, even if for a short period.

He was mobbed by jubilant NPP activists who found their way to the Police Headquarters to demand the arrest of their colleague.

He suspected his arrest is a ploy by the government to divert attention from the demonstration embarked upon by university students the same day but stressed his arrest is equally bad press, a political fiasco and a failed attempt to influence public opinion on the hardships the government is forcing down the throats of Ghanaians.

Battle of Insults












Baba Jamal







Head of Communications of the NPP Nana Akomea told the media after the release of the NPP activist that John Kumah's comments are only to serve notice that they (NPP) will face the NDC boot-for-boot in the battle of insults if that is the path government wants to go.

He claimed the NPP flagbearer and other party officials have suffered a bout of needless, unwarranted insults and could no longer take the aspersions from the NDC activists.

For now, the strategy by the NPP is don't insult. But when you are insulted, insult back in equal measure, he stated.

But the Deputy Information Minister Baba Jamal told Joy News the public will be the best judges in this new policy sanctioned by the NPP.

He dismissed assertions that the arrest of John Kumah was a political ploy, stating the police were doing their statutory duty.

On the contrary he said the President whose person was attacked by the NPP activist was magnanimous enough to order his release.

Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana