Member of Parliament has insisted there are no threats to freedom of speech or press freedom under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, stressing that citizens who communicate within the Constitution will have no issues with the state.
Speaking on the floor, the MP said it must be put on record “without provocation” that the Mahama government respects free expression. He argued that arrests that have occurred were linked to threats against the President, which he said would trigger action by security agencies even in the most advanced democracies.
He cited the case of a young woman arrested for threatening President Mahama.
“When you threaten the president, even in the most democratic country, it is a comment on the security agencies to invite you, pick you up, or act in accordance with law. That is exactly what has been happening,” he told the House.
The MP recalled past incidents under different administrations to challenge what he called a false impression that arrests had suddenly spiked.
He mentioned a former minister who was picked up after comments about “it has worked” and referenced an arrest under President Kufuor.
He also recounted his own experience at the police headquarters, saying he had to run away during a confrontation.
While aligning with the Minority Leader that Parliament should encourage press freedom and free speech, the MP drew a line at threats.
“Freedom of speech is not tantamount to threatening the president,” he said, adding that such conduct falls outside constitutional protection.
He then referenced March 28, 2018, when former President Mahama condemned what he described as the police’s high-handed response to citizens who gathered at police headquarters in solidarity with arrested NDC General Secretary Koko Anyedoho.
The MP said he was present that night when police used hot water with chemicals and beat protesters.
“I was beating. I’m not kidding. I went there that evening to show solidarity because, at that time, President Mahama had gone to the CID headquarters to observe what was happening,” he said.
“They started pouring hot water that water with a chemical.
They started beating us. I’m being frank with you. I had to run away that day. This is on record.”
The MP praised President Mahama’s record on tolerance. “President Mahama will go on record as one of the most tolerant presidents ever in the history of this country.
I commend President Mahama for his patience, for his fortitude and for his determination to serve this country,” he said.
He concluded that while Ghanaians have the right to speak, “you do not have the freedom to threaten the life of the president.”
By Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor
About The Author
