We’re Beginning to Pride Ourselves on Arrests Instead of Prosecutions – Kwadwo Poku

Energy analyst and former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant Kwadwo Poku has criticised the government’s approach to law enforcement, warning that Ghana is developing a dangerous culture of celebrating arrests over actual prosecutions.

Speaking on Joy News’ Newsfile on Saturday, September 27, Mr. Poku argued that state security agencies appear to prioritise high-profile detentions and punitive bail conditions as tools of political intimidation, rather than pursuing thorough investigations and court-driven justice.

“We’re beginning to pride ourselves on the arrest than the investigation and prosecution,” he said.

Arrests Without Charges

Mr. Poku expressed concern that law enforcement agencies increasingly treat arrest and inquiry as an end in itself, with citizens—especially political critics—frequently invited for questioning only to face excessive bail terms despite little or no evidence.

“If I have done something wrong and you call me in for an inquiry, let it be an inquiry. What we have seen, and it’s become a trend, is that bail conditions are now becoming as if the person is charged,” he stated.

He noted that while large numbers of individuals are being summoned for investigations, the actual rate of prosecutions remains minimal, suggesting that the process is being used to harass and intimidate rather than to seek justice.

High-Profile Examples

Mr. Poku referenced recent incidents involving political figures such as Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) and Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC), where controversial bail conditions sparked public debate about abuse of executive power.

“They are calling them on frivolous grounds, and when you go there, they are now telling you to justify something. It’s like a conversation,” he said.

Call for Judicial Independence

Highlighting the constitutional principle of separation of powers, Mr. Poku urged the Judiciary to remain firm in protecting citizens’ liberties and resisting any influence that compromises its neutrality.

“You sleep well because you know that when somebody trumps on your liberties, you can go to get redress from the courts,” he stressed, invoking Ghana’s Martyrs Day (June 30) as a reminder of the need to guard against tyranny.

He concluded by referencing a famous quote from an American president:

“No person is above the law, and no person is beyond its protection.”

Mr. Poku warned that unless Ghana rebalances its justice system to focus on credible investigations and prosecutions, the current trend risks eroding democratic freedoms and public trust in law enforcement.