Former President and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama has said there is no justification for the decision by the Inspector General of Police Dr George Dampare, on the orders of the National Security Advisor, Albert Kan Dapaah, to detain Madam Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, a Parliamentary Candidate for the Awutu Senya East Constituency in Police custody.

According to Mr Mahama, this action, taken on the instructions of the National Security Secretariat, will needlessly raise the political temperature in the country and spark avoidable tension.

In a Facebook post, he cautioned the Police Service and the IGP not to allow themselves to be used to hang the peace and stability of the nation months before crucial national elections.

Mr Mahama called on the IGP, the Peace Council, the government, and the people of Ghana to recognise that justice is not just a moral imperative but a crucial prerequisite for maintaining peace and stability in a nation.

“We cannot allow the police service to be used to stifle opposition and intimidate innocent Ghanaians and political opponents in the run-up to the 2024 elections,” he stated.

Mr Mahama said clearly, the intention to detain her after she had already been granted bail is an attempt to intimidate the NDC Parliamentary candidate in her quest to unseat the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hawa Koomson, in the Awutu Senya East Constituency.

The NDC Flagbearer urged the IGP to urgently reconsider his actions and release Naa Koryoo immediately for the sake of justice and the stability of the nation.

He added that “it is high time the police fulfilled their duty to serve and protect all citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations.”

 Madam Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor was detained following violent clashes between NPP and NDC supporters over the voter transfer exercise that led to the stabbing of the son of the sitting MP Hawa Koomson.