3 Journalists arrested in 3 months of Mahama Presidency

In the first three months of President John Dramani Mahama’s new term, three media practitioners have been arrested by security agencies, raising fresh concerns about Ghana’s commitment to press freedom and freedom of expression under the current administration.
The journalists arrested include Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, host of For The Records podcast, Gordon Asare-Bediako, journalist with Wontumi TV and Prosper Agbenyega, Editor of Current Issues newspaper.
While Afrifa and Asare-Bediako have been granted bail and reporting to the security agencies on given dates, Agbenyega is not required to report again.
Civil society groups, press associations, and free speech advocates are warning of a chilling effect on independent journalism if the trend continues.

Afrifa Mensah: 2 arrests in 2 weeks
Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah was first arrested on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 by operatives from the National Security Secretariat. According to eyewitness accounts, he was picked up near the Kingsby Hotel at Achimota while returning from an examination at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
In a surprising turn of events, Afrifa was again picked up on March 25—this time by the Cyber Crime Unit of the Ghana Police Service, making it his second arrest in less than two weeks.
No official charge has been announced publicly, sparking speculation over the reasons behind the repeated detentions.

Asare-Bediako
Journalist Asare-Bediako was arrested on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 following an invitation from someone from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The caller reportedly described the meeting as a “mere conversation,” prompting the journalist to honour the invitation at his workplace, Wontumi TV.
However, upon arrival, he was confronted by five individuals who questioned him over comments made on Movement TV.
The subject of scrutiny was a statement he made suggesting that the Special Prosecutor had requested a private jet from the previous administration due to the high-risk nature of his work.
Asare-Bediako stood by his remarks, explaining that they were based on information received from a source.
He was pressured to disclose that source—a move seen by press freedom advocates as a violation of journalistic ethics.
“I was assured it would be a simple conversation,” Asare-Bediako recounted.
“But it quickly turned into something more intense. I even asked if I could bring in a lawyer if necessary.”

Agbenyega: Questioned over ECG container story
On April 7, 2025, Agbenyega, Editor of Current Issues Newspaper, was invited for questioning by the National Security Secretariat following a report he published involving a sensitive procurement issue.
The publication in question referenced a letter circulating on social media, suggesting that the National Security had applied to take custody of 700 containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) locked up at Tema Port.
Agbenyega stated that the interrogation lasted roughly three hours and focused on verifying the sources and details of the story.

Mounting concerns over press freedom rankings
The arrests have raised alarm among press freedom watchdogs and international observers.
Ghana, once hailed as a regional beacon for media independence, risks slipping further down global Press Freedom Index rankings if the current trend continues.
Observers note that the arrests could have international repercussions for Ghana’s image and credibility in the global community—especially with upcoming reviews by watchdog organizations.

Call for transparency and legal protections
Media advocates are calling for transparency in all proceedings and urging the government to reaffirm its commitment to constitutional protections for free speech and a free press.
The government has yet to release an official response to the incidents.