Ahiagbah accuses Mahama administration of suppressing free speech

The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party, Richard Ahiagbah, has criticised the arrest of some NPP supporters over social media comments, describing the actions as oppressive and undemocratic.

His remarks followed the arrest of TikTok user Akosua Serwah Minat, who was reportedly detained over an alleged threat directed at President John Dramani Mahama.

In a post shared on X, Ahiagbah accused the Mahama-led government of undermining Ghana’s democracy and replacing it with what he described as a system of tyranny and abuse of state power.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emmanuel Bombande argued that hate speech should not be confused with free speech. Speaking on Key Points on Saturday, May 23, he maintained that it would be misleading to defend hateful remarks under the guise of freedom of expression.

Bombande’s comments were made in reaction to the arrest of NPP Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, who was arraigned before court on charges of false publication.

A High Court in Accra later granted him bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties after an application by his legal team, led by former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame and former Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered Abronye to report to the Police CID every two weeks, surrender his travel documents, and seek permission before travelling outside the jurisdiction.

His earlier remand into custody generated criticism from some NPP members and legal analysts, who argued that the decision infringed on his constitutional rights. However, the presiding judge explained that the remand order was based on concerns that the accused could commit another offence if granted immediate bail.