Shalimar Abbiusi, the spokesperson for the newly formed political movement New Force, was arrested, which has sparked concerns.
The group claims that despite her initial invitation for a meeting on Monday, December 4, 2023, Ms. Abbiusi, in charge of New Force’s diplomatic and diaspora engagements, has not been released.
Ms. Abbiusi made her public debut in a video announcing plans to reveal their platform for the upcoming election.
The video, among other things, questioned the leadership’s role in addressing the concerns of the populace by highlighting the suffering of Ghanaians under the Akufo-Addo administration and drawing attention to recent demonstrations.
The group asserts that Ms. Abbiusi was subjected to nonstop questioning concerning The New Force, its supporters, and her possible presidential aspirations throughout her alleged 4-day detention by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB).
The New Force claims in a press release released on Thursday, December 7, that she has been detained for longer than the permitted 48 hours without being charged, that she was not allowed to see an attorney, and that her home was illegally searched.
A political organization is not illegal, as the movement emphasizes, despite claims to the contrary from authorities looking into The New Force’s beginnings.
According to a press release from New Forces, Ms. Abbiusi’s arbitrary detention raises serious concerns about the abuse of power, persecution of political opponents, and multiple violations of human rights.
Authorities temporarily charged Ms. Abbiusi with a crime, claiming problems with document verification, because they doubted the validity of her residency permit.
“Despite the fact that Ms Abbiussi’s residence permit was facilitated and issued to her over three years ago by the Ghana Immigration Service, the authorities today told a District Court that they have temporarily charged her with an offence claiming that one of the documents she submitted could not be verified. But that they are demanding that she is held in custody so that investigations into the New Force will continue.
“We have witnessed rising attacks against the New Force including the taking down and targeted destruction of several billboards of the New Force. We consider that these actions reflect the approach of cowards and persons who have lost the moral plot of leadership,” the press release read.
The New Force believes the accusations are politically driven because Ms. Abbiusi’s residency permit was granted by the Ghana Immigration Service more than three years prior, in their opinion.
The New Force denounces these acts, perceiving them as attempts to scare political rivals and citizens of allied nations.
The New Force called for citizens to demand an alternative form of government and raised more concerns about the trajectory of Ghana’s democracy.
The movement emphasizes the need for a new direction and vision for Ghana, claiming that the nation is losing its pride and identity.
Read full statement below;
