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Amankwah-Manu Condemns Attempted Arrest of Manhyia South MP,Warns Against Political Intimidation
Atwima Kwanwoma MP urges Mahama administration to protect democratic institutions and pursue dialogue over confrontation
By Justice Baffour Awuah/DailyWatchGH.com/0246930931
Former Deputy Defence Minister and Member of Parliament for Atwima Kwanwoma Constituency, Hon. Kofi Amankwah-Manu, has criticised the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest of the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah,describing the development as a matter that should concern the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking in an interview with media practitioners, Hon. Amankwah-Manu cautioned against what he described as the use of intimidation against political opponents and state institutions,warning that such developments could have serious implications for Ghana’s democratic stability if not addressed.
The comments follow the dramatic incident at the Accra High Court on Wednesday,September 23,2026,when EOCO officials attempted to take the Manhyia South MP into custody.
According to EOCO,the attempted arrest formed part of an ongoing investigation. The agency said the MP had previously been invited on two occasions in February 2026 to assist with the investigation but did not honour the invitations. EOCO subsequently took steps to secure his attendance, but the attempted arrest was not completed after the situation escalated and officers assessed that further action could endanger public safety.
The Manhyia South MP,however,has given a different account of the incident,saying he became suspicious when an individual identifying herself as an EOCO official sought to take him into custody without,according to his account,providing identification,proof of authority or an arrest warrant. He subsequently drove to Parliament, where he addressed journalists.
‘Intimidation has no place in Ghana’s democracy’
Reacting to the development, Hon. Amankwah-Manu warned that political intimidation could deepen tensions between the governing party and the opposition if allowed to persist.
He reportedly drew historical parallels with Ghana’s political past,including the era associated with the late former President Jerry John Rawlings and the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC),arguing that Ghana must learn from its history and avoid actions that could undermine the country’s democratic gains.
According to him, although President John Dramani Mahama deserves the respect accorded to the sitting President of the Republic,the government must also recognise that political power is temporary and that democratic institutions must remain stronger than individual political interests.
He cautioned that if the current situation involving alleged intimidation and confrontation with opposition figures continues unchecked,it could create tensions that may outlive the current administration.
Hon. Amankwah-Manu therefore called on President Mahama and the governing NDC to take steps to address concerns surrounding the incident and ensure that political disagreements are managed through constitutional and democratic channels.
Calls for dialogue instead of confrontation
The Atwima Kwanwoma legislator also criticised what he described as the tone of the government’s response to the controversy.
He referred to a statement attributed to the President’s Press Secretary using the Akan expression “Krokro de John,” interpreting it as an indication of a posture that, in his view, could contribute to political tension rather than resolving the matter through dialogue.
He argued that disagreements between political actors should be settled through engagement, due process and respect for Ghana’s constitutional institutions.
He particularly stressed the importance of protecting Members of Parliament, who are elected by constituents to represent their interests,make laws and hold the government accountable.
Warning over Parliament and state institutions
Hon. Amankwah-Manu further expressed concern about the relationship between security agencies and elected representatives, arguing that the handling of such matters should take into consideration parliamentary procedures and privileges.
The incident has already generated debate over how law-enforcement agencies should deal with Members of Parliament.
EOCO,for its part, has maintained that parliamentary membership does not place an individual beyond the reach of the law, while also stating that it recognises and respects constitutional privileges and immunities enjoyed by MPs.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry’s spokesperson, Julius Kwame Anthony, said the process could have been handled through Parliament, which he suggested would have made the exercise more decorous.
Minority considers petition to Mahama, Speaker
Hon.
Amankwah-Manu also hinted that the Minority side in Parliament was considering petitioning President Mahama and the Speaker of Parliament over concerns about alleged intimidation and the manner in which security agencies engage opposition Members of Parliament.
The proposed action, according to him, would seek to draw attention to what the Minority considers troubling developments involving state institutions and security operations.
He maintained that the objective should not be to prevent lawful investigations or place any individual above the law,but rather to ensure that investigations and arrests are conducted transparently,constitutionally and with due regard for parliamentary privileges.
A broader political warning
The Atwima Kwanwoma MP’s comments add to growing political debate following Wednesday’s confrontation between EOCO officials and the Manhyia South MP.
While EOCO insists that its action was connected to an ongoing investigation and followed two earlier invitations,opposition figures have raised concerns about the manner in which the attempted arrest was carried out.
The controversy has therefore shifted beyond the immediate incident to broader questions about the independence of state institutions,parliamentary privileges,political accountability and the need to preserve Ghana’s democratic culture.
For Hon.Amankwah-Manu,the way forward should be dialogue,respect for constitutional institutions and restraint by all political actors.
He warned that Ghana’s democracy depends not only on elections but also on the ability of political leaders and state institutions to manage disagreements without creating unnecessary tensions that could threaten the country’s hard-won democratic stability.
Call him on 0244632017-Hon Kofi Amankwa Manu,MP Atwima Kwanwoma Constituency.
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