Ghanaian media personality Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah has been released after his sudden arrest by security operatives sparked widespread outrage among opposition figures and supporters.

Okatakyie, the host of the popular social media show 'For the Records', was picked up on Wednesday, March 19, under unclear circumstances, leading to strong condemnation from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and media freedom advocates.

The NPP described the arrest as an attack on democracy and press freedom, with the party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, demanding his immediate release.

“The arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah by the NDC government is a dangerous attack on democracy and freedom of speech! Ghana must not descend into tyranny,” Kodua said.

The Minority leader in Parliament and MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, also weighed in, calling for tolerance and warning against intimidation of government critics.

“It started with Abronye. Now it’s Okatakyie Afrifa. The NDC government must be tolerant. Using State Security to intimidate opponents is not good for our democracy!” he noted.

Following intense public pressure and an outpouring on social media of outraged comments by ordinary Ghanaians calling for his freedom, Afrifa-Mensah has now been released.