The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has questioned the events surrounding the arrest of media personality and New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirant for the Afigya Sekyere East Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Okatakyie Afrifa.
Asiedu Nketiah said he was concerned about the sudden change in Afrifa’s condition after his arrest during disturbances that occurred at the NPP constituency executive elections, noting that the activist appeared fit before his detention but was later seen struggling to move when he was expected in court.
Speaking on Okay FM on August 5, 2026, the NDC chairman said video footage captured around the time of Afrifa’s arrest showed him looking healthy and physically capable.
He questioned how Afrifa, who appeared strong while being taken into custody, could later become weak and require medical support shortly afterwards.
“Recently, I saw Okatakyie Afrifa when he was arrested. We all saw it on television. When he was being escorted into the vehicle, he looked fit and healthy.
“The next day, when he was supposed to appear in court, all of a sudden he was wearing a neck brace and could not walk. How did he suddenly become sick?” he asked.
He further questioned whether Afrifa may have been mistreated while in police custody, arguing that any alleged assault during the arrest would likely have been witnessed.
Afrifa has since been granted bail following his arrest in connection with the disturbances that disrupted the NPP’s Afigya Sekyere East Constituency executive elections.
According to his campaign team, the election proceeded despite instructions from the NPP National Steering Committee and an interim injunction from the High Court in Kumasi barring the party from continuing with parts of the electoral process.
The team said that on July 6, 2026, the NPP National Steering Committee, through its Acting National Chairman, ordered the immediate suspension of the constituency elections until the court matter was resolved.
They explained that Afrifa later visited the election venue after receiving information that the suspended process was still ongoing. His purpose, according to the team, was to confirm the situation and inform election officials about the party directive and the court order.
The campaign group alleged that upon his arrival, Afrifa and some supporters were attacked by police officers before being arrested.
It further claimed that Afrifa and four others suffered gunshot wounds during the incident and were subsequently taken for medical treatment.
