Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has called for the protection of free speech, civil liberties, and the rule of law, warning that any perceived erosion of democratic rights could undermine Ghana’s hard-earned reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa.
The country, he said, has reached a critical moment that transcends partisan politics and demands a collective commitment to safeguarding constitutional freedoms.
Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin stated that Ghana’s democratic credentials have been built through decades of sacrifice, civic vigilance, and adherence to constitutional governance, making it imperative for all stakeholders to defend the rights guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution.
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“The right to free expression, enshrined in Article 21(1)(a) of our Constitution, is a birthright. It is the oxygen of democracy,” he stated, cautioning that any restriction on that freedom poses a threat to democratic governance.
The Minority Leader’s concerns come in the wake of recent arrests involving individuals affiliated with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), developments he said have generated anxiety among sections of the public and raised concerns within civil society and the legal fraternity.
While acknowledging the authority of the courts and the need for the law to apply equally to all citizens, Afenyo-Markin argued that legal processes must never be used in a manner that undermines fundamental freedoms.
“We do not dispute the authority of the courts. We do not question that the law must apply equally to all. But we also know that the law can be technically applied and fundamentally abused at the same time,” he said.
He stressed that the debate goes beyond individual arrests and concerns broader democratic principles, particularly the protection of dissent and criticism in a constitutional democracy.
The Effutu legislator warned that history has shown how democratic freedoms can gradually erode when citizens become fearful of expressing their views or questioning those in authority.
He noted that Ghana has earned international recognition as a model democracy on the African continent and cautioned against actions that could damage that reputation.
“Governments that stifle dissent do not strengthen themselves but rather hollow out the very institutions upon which their own legitimacy depends,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin also appealed to both sides of Parliament to adopt a consistent approach to the protection of rights and freedoms, regardless of which political party is in government.
He argued that the standards applied to political opponents today could become the standards used against those currently in power in the future, making it necessary for Parliament to uphold principles rather than partisan interests.
Calling on lawmakers to unite in defence of constitutional liberties, the Minority Leader said Ghana’s democracy belongs to all citizens and must be protected for future generations.
“Let our deliberations send a message to every Ghanaian that their voice matters, that their rights are sacred and that this Parliament stands ready, willing and resolute in its defence of both,” he said.