Professor Ransford Gyampo, CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority, has expressed agreement that the timing of the attempted arrest of Manhyia South lawmaker Baffour Awuah was not ideal. According to him, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) could have anticipated the consequences of the timing and made a better decision. Gyampo's comments come after an incident on September 23, 2026, where EOCO attempted to arrest Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court Complex.
Gyampo also expressed surprise at the manner in which a female EOCO official was manhandled during the attempt to arrest Baffour Awuah. He noted that while the lady may have acted wrongly, she did not deserve to be treated in such a way. Gyampo emphasized the importance of women's empowerment and the need to condemn such behavior. His comments were made on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, September 26.
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has also weighed in on the issue, arguing that under Ghanaian law, it is permissible to resist an unlawful arrest. According to Kpebu, EOCO was wrong in its approach to arresting Baffour Awuah and should have written to the Speaker of Parliament instead. Kpebu's comments align with the position that EOCO's actions were not in line with due process.
The incident has also drawn the attention of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), which has expressed grave concern over the attempted arrest. The GBA emphasized that any investigation or enforcement action involving legal professionals must adhere to constitutional guarantees and standard legal procedures. The association warned that bypassing these safeguards could undermine public confidence in the justice system and the rule of law.
The GBA's National President, Mrs. Efua Ghartey, has previously spoken out on the challenges faced by legal practitioners. At the 2025 annual GBA conference, she asserted that lawyers must enjoy the freedom to defend clients without facing harassment. The GBA's concerns highlight ongoing issues within the legal profession and the need for state institutions to respect due process.
In response to the incident, the GBA has urged EOCO and other state institutions to ensure their operations respect due process, fairness, and individual rights. The association emphasized that the independence of the legal profession is a cornerstone of Ghana's democratic society. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the rule of law and the treatment of legal professionals in Ghana.
The attempted arrest of Baffour Awuah has raised important questions about the balance between law enforcement and the protection of individual rights. As the issue continues to unfold, stakeholders will be watching to see how EOCO and other institutions respond to the concerns raised by Gyampo, Kpebu, and the GBA.
Key points
- Prof Gyampo criticizes the timing of EOCO's attempted arrest of Baffour Awuah
- Martin Kpebu argues that EOCO's approach was unlawful
- GBA expresses concern over the attempted arrest and emphasizes the need for due process
