Minority leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has accused government of using the coercive machinery of the state to intimidate critics. This follows the arrest and subsequent remand in prison custody of a New Patriotic Party sympathizer who is alleged to have accused ex-president Rawlings of torching his own residence. Nana Darkwa, 27, made the comments on Top Radio, an Accra radio station and was immediately picked up by the police on the invitation of Kofi Adams, aide to ex-president Rawlings.

He was subsequently arraigned before the Circuit court and remanded in prison custody for two weeks and would reappear on March 3; 2010.But on the floor of Parliament, the minority leader said the arrest of Nana Darkwa was unacceptable. Even though he conceded that the comments made by Darkwa were in bad taste, especially when he could not provide any evidence, he insisted the haste with which he was picked up by the police was for him unfortunate.

He cited several cases of allegations made against past government officials but said such an action was never adopted. Meanwhile, Kofi Adams, aide to ex-president Rawlings told Joy News’ Dzifa Bampoe he only performed his duty as a citizen by inviting the police to the studio of Top Radio to arrest Rawlings’ accuser. According to him, he did that to avert possible mayhem at the premises of the station, after angry youth and supporters of ex-president Rawlings besieged the station, having heard the allegations made on-air against their mentor. He praised the police for responding rapidly to his invitation and cautioned people from politicizing the issue.

When asked why Rawlings was not arrested or hauled before the court for making serious allegations, Mr Adams said the question should be directed to the police.He denied supervising the taking of pictures of the guests on the show, as alleged by one of the panelists and the show host.

STORY BY NATHAN GADUGAH/MYJOYONLINE.COM/GHANA