Bright Simons, Honorary Vice-President of IMANI Africa, has described the arrest of Bono Regional NPP Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, as evidence that he is an “easy target” for law enforcement.
Speaking on JoyNews’s Newsfile programme on Saturday, September 13, Mr Simons suggested that Abronye’s outspoken nature and frequent controversies make him more vulnerable than others.
Abronye was arrested by the Ghana Police Service on Monday, September 8, and subsequently remanded in the custody of the police by an Accra Circuit Court for one week to allow for further investigations.
He is facing two charges: publishing false news and offensive conduct likely to disturb the peace. These charges relate to claims he allegedly made on television, accusing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of attending opposition NDC meetings and labelling the current IGP, Tetteh Yohuno, as the “most corrupt” in the country’s history.
Mr Simons argued that while Abronye’s remarks may be reckless, they also reflect a broader trend where the authorities choose targets who are unlikely to be shielded by powerful networks.
“Abronye makes it easy for the state to act because he is often intemperate. But the real issue is whether others who make similar statements are treated the same way. That is where fairness comes in,” he noted.
Abronye, who has pleaded not guilty, is expected to reappear in court on Friday, September 19. His case has sparked debate about freedom of expression, political speech, and the extent to which public officials should be held accountable for their words.