NPP’s Millicent Puruseh slams arrest of party activist over Facebook post
Puruseh described the arrest as “unjustified” and “heavy-handed,” questioning the methods used by law enforcement in handling the situation.
Millicent Puruseh, a Communications Team Member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Navrongo Central Constituency, has criticized the arrest of party activist Mohammed Zakou over a controversial social media post regarding Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
Zakou was arrested in Accra and arraigned before court after he posted “Rest well her Excellency” on Facebook, a message interpreted by many as falsely implying the Vice President had passed away following reports of her ill health.
The post, deemed misleading and potentially harmful, prompted swift action from security authorities under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Puruseh described the arrest as “unjustified” and “heavy-handed,” questioning the methods used by law enforcement in handling the situation.
“Yes, the law could have its course on people who misinform others through social media, but the approach to it should be different,” she argued.
“If someone engages in that, the security services could invite the person, interrogate him, and when found guilty, the law could take its course. But to arrest people like criminals, I think it should be condemned.”
Puruseh also defended Zakou’s post, saying it was ambiguous and open to multiple interpretations.
“That phrase is so ambiguous, and it connotes a lot of meanings, and the gentleman is saying that what the public is thinking is not what he meant,” she explained.
Despite her strong defense of Zakou, Puruseh acknowledged the growing concern over the spread of misinformation online. She urged a collective effort to address the issue, emphasizing the importance of responsible communication on digital platforms.
“I think everyone should actually be concerned about how people saturate social media with false information. If we can all put our hands on deck to keep these things off our social media, it will be good,” she said.
The incident has reignited debate over freedom of expression, misinformation, and the role of state security agencies in regulating online content. Many political watchers are calling for a more balanced approach that protects both public safety and individual rights in the digital space.
Mike 105.3 FM | Navrongo | David Adapuna
