NPP National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, has criticised what he describes as a dangerous return to the “dark days” of political oppression following the arrest of the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

Speaking to journalists outside the EOCO Headquarters in Accra, where Wontumi is currently being held, he expressed deep concern over what he called “a Rambo-style arrest” by heavily armed and masked security personnel.

“We are law-abiding. We are ready to cooperate with any investigative body. But what we will resist is political harassment — and that is what we are witnessing,” he said.

According to him, Chairman Wontumi had honoured an invitation from the CID and was exiting the premises when suddenly, four pickups loaded with masked men “armed to the teeth” seized him and whisked him away.

“Just when he was about exiting, then you have almost about four pickups with men masked, armed to the teeth, and just dragged Chairman Wontumi into the pickup,” he recounted.

“We don’t know why he’s being held. We don’t know what they are investigating Chairman Wontumi for.”

The NPP National Organiser described the manner of arrest as unnecessary and calculated to intimidate political opponents.

“This is not why many Ghanaians voted for President Mahama,” he said, accusing the NDC-led government of resorting to theatrics and intimidation.

“Look, six months ago, if President Mahama had mounted the platform and campaigned that when he comes, he’s going to cause arrests, he’s going to use men wielding guns to arrest people in Rambo style — would Ghanaians be happy with him? I don’t think so.”

Nana Boakye said the NPP will not be intimidated.

“We are massing up. We are ready to be here overnight,” he declared. “

When we spoke earlier, we had a handful of our people here. Now, we are increasing. The party will not sit by and allow its members to be bullied under the guise of law enforcement.”

He pointed to what he believes is a pattern of political persecution.

“Quite recently, look at the Adenta Kumi issue — such a useless arrest. For what? Because he had petitioned the President over the Chief Justice matter? Very uncalled for.”

Rejecting suggestions that the party is jumping to conclusions without knowing the full details of the arrest, Nana Boakye insisted the facts on the ground speak for themselves.

“Why is it that an investigative body invites him and then just when he’s exiting, you arrest him in such a wrong style? Why cause all of this movie, action-movie-style arrest? Why?”

He warned that the country’s democracy is being endangered. “The NDC government is sending us back to the dark days, and that is what is unfortunate,” he said.

Despite their protest, the NPP leadership says they will continue to engage peacefully and lawfully.

Nana Boakye confirmed that he and the party’s General Secretary were earlier allowed into the CID reception area but were later denied access to see Wontumi.

“We thought we were going to see him, only for them to come back to tell us that, unfortunately, they cannot allow us access.”

He urged Ghanaians to be vigilant. “Yes, we are all for accountability. But this kind of political victimisation and harassment is uncalled for. That is what we are fighting.”

Nana Boakye also rejected the notion that the crowd gathering outside the CID headquarters could be worsening the situation.

“I don’t think so. Rather, I think we need to show that support. We need to register our displeasure. The President must know.”

The arrest of Chairman Wontumi has already sparked tensions within the NPP, with senior party figures warning that any attempts to intimidate its leadership will be met with strong resistance.