- The deputy defense minister said the government has no interest in prosecuting free speech.
- Kwame Jantuah, a private legal practitioner has categorically mentioned that the art of speaking freely in any dispensation comes with responsibilities.
- The police picked up social media activist and convenor of pressure group #FixTheCountry, Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor, for allegedly stating that he would stage a coup in Ghana if Parliament passes the E-Levy bill
Kofi Amankwa-Manu, a deputy Minister of Defence has categorically stated that the government is not clamping down on free speech as indicated by some individuals.
He maintains that action being taken against persons who tend to incite the people against the government does not suggest free speech is being opposed by the government.
According to Amankwa-Manu, the government has no interest in prosecuting free speech.
“I disagree with people who think that the government is kind of shutting down on free speech, I disagree. What actually did the gentleman say? What he said for me, amounts to inciting the public against the government. If you say that you are going to lead a coup and that the military is useless, do you think it is a good thing coming from somebody of his calibre who is a lawyer and a researcher?
“…Yes, there’s free speech but, people must know that the fact that there’s free speech doesn’t mean that you can say anything at all you want.”
Speaking to Beatrice Adu on The Big Bulletin on Monday (14 February), Amankwa-Manu continued by saying that “so, he knew what he was talking about. Now people are even asking us to give a different meaning to what a coup is. I don’t know… you see, I believe in the professionalism of the police and the court. If there’s an issue which the court is dealing with it, then people jumping to hasty conclusions by saying that the government is doing that, the government is doing this, I think that’s not the way to go.”
Oliver charged with treason felony
The state has charged social media activist and convenor of pressure group #FixTheCountry, Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor, with treason felony, contrary to section 182 (b) of the Criminal and other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
According to the charge sheet filed at the Ashiaman District Court, the particulars of the offence indicates that the accused person, Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor, sometime in February 2022, prepared to undertake any unlawful means an enterprise that usurps the executive powers of the Government of Ghana.
The convenor of pressure group #FixTheCountry, Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor, was picked up by the Tema Regional Police on Saturday 12 February 2022, for allegedly stating that he would stage a coup in Ghana if Parliament passes the E-Levy bill.
In a statement, the police said on Saturday (12 February) that Barker-Vormawor is being kept at the Tema regional police command for further investigations into his social media post.
Kwabena Bobie Ansah’s arrest
Kwabena Bobie Ansah, a presenter with Accra FM was arrested for publishing false news, police have said.
A statement issued by the police on Friday (11 February) said his arrest became necessary after turning down several invitations from the police to assist with the investigation.
Freedom with limitation
Speaking on The Forum on Asaase Radio on Saturday (12 February), Kwame Jantuah, a private legal practitioner said reckless speech has the potential of instigating unrest and therefore, the need for every freedom of speech to come with limitations.
He said: “Barker-Vormawor is a constitutional lawyer and he should know better, shouldn’t he? And we talk about free speech, free speech comes with responsibility. You don’t just get up and say things and just walk free because “free speech”, comes with responsibility and limitations.
“…And the thing about it is that it’ll instigate others who want a leader or somebody to help them run that cause. I said here the last time, I’ve lived through all the coups, from childhood to adulthood, it has not been a nice event. Nobody should even think about it because it won’t help us. The situation we’re in today will be 10 times worse if there’s a coup.”
Mahama’s rant
The former President John Mahama has in an open letter to President Nana Akufo-Addo condemned what he described as “growing criminalisation of speech and journalism in Ghana.”
Mahama’s comment is coming a day after the arrest of Kwabena Bobie Ansah, a presenter with Accra FM – a radio station affiliated with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mahama’s open letter, which was posted on Facebook said: “This is a dangerous blueprint you are fashioning for our dear nation and it must not be encouraged. Your actions as President have totally discredited your self-acquired accolade as a human rights lawyer and activist. Ghana has long emerged from the unfortunate past where journalists were cowed by incarceration and brutalization.
“I fear that if you do not take immediate action to arrest this unfortunate trend, when you exit the high office of President in January 2025, freedom of speech and free media will certainly not be counted as part of the legacy you leave behind.”
Nicholas Brown
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