{
  "id": 9978369,
  "title": "EOCO-Manhyia South MP Standoff: Ghana ‘almost going back to PNDC era’ – Palgrave Boakye Danquah",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/eoco-manhyia-south-mp-standoff-ghana-almost-going-back-to-pndc-era",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T12:37:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/general/pndc-era/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dr. Palgrave Boakye Danquah, an NPP member, has expressed concern that Ghana might be returning to the era of the PNDC following a contentious incident involving the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) attempting to arrest the Manhyia South MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. The incident occurred on September 23, 2026, at the Accra High Court during a court appearance for Nana Awuah's client, Salomey Baffoe Awiti. EOCO officials attempted to arrest the MP in connection with an ongoing investigation, but the situation escalated, and they deemed it unsafe to continue.\n\nDr. Danquah criticized the conduct of the EOCO officials, specifically an incident where an official moved towards the MP's moving vehicle as it was leaving the court premises. He argued that this could have endangered public safety and questioned the agency's decision to approach the moving vehicle. Dr. Danquah emphasized that the MP's actions helped prevent a more dangerous situation. He stated that the incident should not be used as a means to show strength by the state agency, asserting that it was not a demonstration of strength.\n\nThe EOCO claims that the MP was invited twice in February 2026 to assist with an ongoing investigation but did not respond. The agency asserts that the attempted arrest was part of steps to ensure his attendance in compliance with the law. However, the MP disputes this, arguing that the invitation was actually intended for the senior partner of his law firm, and a representative from the firm cooperated with the EOCO investigation.\n\nDr. Danquah also expressed concerns about the increasing number of arrests and prison sentences in the country. He likened the current situation to Ghana's past under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), which ruled from 1981 to 1993, and stated that the country was \"almost going back to the days of the PNDC era.\" He described the situation as troubling and called for greater attention to the protection of democratic institutions and constitutional principles, warning that these developments were deeply concerning.",
  "summary": "By Ashiadey Dotse NPP member, Dr. Palgrave Boakye Danquah has expressed concern that Ghana could be returning to the days of the PNDC era following the attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO). Speaking on GTV’s Current Agenda on Saturday, September 26, 2026, Dr. […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghanaian MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah faces EOCO arrest attempt at Accra High Court.",
    "Dr. Palgrave Boakye Danquah warns Ghana may return to PNDC-era authoritarianism.",
    "EOCO claims invitation for investigation, MP denies, says firm rep cooperated."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}