President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has expressed deep frustration over what he described as the unnecessary drama that often surrounds the arrests of politically exposed individuals in Ghana.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, May 31, 2025, Cudjoe questioned why routine police invitations or arrests of public figures are frequently turned into national spectacles.
“I’ve never understood why common invitations to security services should turn into some sort of circus,” he said.
According to him, when ordinary citizens are arrested for wrongdoing, their cases proceed without fanfare. However, the moment a high-profile or politically connected person is involved, the public discourse spirals, often escalating tensions and distracting from the legal process.
“When ordinary people are arrested for committing crimes, no one masses up or makes noise. But when it involves a politically exposed person, the whole country must stop?” he asked, visibly irritated.
“This sort of behaviour irritates me. We must stop turning arrests into theatre. If a person is accused of wrongdoing, allow the process to play out. No one is above the law.”
Cudjoe also addressed concerns about bail conditions, urging people to approach the courts for redress rather than resorting to public outrage.
“You can go to court and ask for a variation,” he said. “The law allows for that. Bail conditions are not meant to punish.”
He cautioned that whipping up sentiments during legal proceedings involving prominent individuals undermines fairness in the justice system and could set dangerous precedents.
“When people are caught up in legal issues, let’s not raise tensions,” Cudjoe advised. “Others go through the same without calling on their entire community. It’s unfair and dangerous.”
