Political scientist and senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Joshua Zaato, has criticised the arrest and detention of former National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) CEO, Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, describing it as a worrying sign for Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking on the AM Show, Dr Zaato questioned why a matter he described as “normal crime” was being handled by state security agencies instead of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). He also raised concerns about Mr Nkansah’s reported detention without access to his lawyer.
“We are in a democracy, for Christ’s sake. Why are you keeping the guy for two, three, four, five days without his lawyer?” he asked.
Dr Zaato argued that the allegation made by Mr Nkansah — that someone paid a bribe to influence a crime — did not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
“I’ve made an allegation that somebody paid a bribe. Does it threaten the safety of the state? Does it threaten somebody’s life? Why does this warrant that I be thrown in the dungeon without access to my lawyer?” he said.
He insisted that while investigations were necessary, they should follow due process and respect fundamental human rights.
“Nobody has said he should not be investigated. Nobody has said he should not be called. But if all it takes to be thrown into a dungeon is a mere allegation, then what kind of democracy are we practising?” Dr Zaato added.
His comments come in the wake of the arrest of Mr. Nkansah by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) over claims he made during a radio discussion about alleged irregularities in the award of government-funded scholarships for studies abroad.
Mr Nkansah was charged with publishing false news and was initially expected to be arraigned before the court on Thursday, February 12, 2026. However, his legal team later announced that the planned court appearance had been reviewed.
According to his lawyers, he has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢500,000 and is currently cooperating with investigators. They disclosed that he had provided the NIB with the contact details of the person who allegedly gave him the information, and that officers had since reached out to that individual.
The legal team also explained that when Mr Nkansah was asked to report again, he was at the KNUST Hospital attending to his sick father.
Dr Zaato warned that the handling of such cases could have broader implications for Ghana’s image, particularly at a time when government officials are encouraging foreign investment.
“You have ministers going around telling people to come and invest in Ghana. How do you expect people to come when citizens can be treated like this?” he asked.
He further cautioned against what he described as a “creeping danger” of shrinking civic space and intolerance for dissent.
“This is not the first time I’m saying this. We need to internalise it. There is a creeping danger,” he noted.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com