New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has called for the prosecution of an NDC organiser to be discontinued, insisting that he neither authorised nor sanctioned the legal action against the young man.
The NDC organiser from the Agona West Constituency is reportedly facing prosecution over allegations of publishing false news and making offensive comments about Dr Bawumia.
In a statement issued by his Communications Directorate on Wednesday, Dr Bawumia said he had not lodged any complaint against the individual and did not want any Ghanaian to be arrested or prosecuted in his name for comments made in public.
The former Vice President said he was making his position clear because he did not believe that state institutions should be used to respond to offensive speech directed at political leaders.
“Dr. Bawumia wishes to state, clearly and unequivocally, that he has neither lodged any complaint nor sanctioned any prosecution against this young man or any other citizen,” the statement said.
Bawumia calls for prosecution to be discontinued
Dr Bawumia has therefore called on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue the prosecution and any similar legal actions purportedly undertaken on his behalf.
He also appealed for the young man to be released so that he could return to his family and livelihood.
The NPP flagbearer said his position was based on his longstanding belief that political leaders should respond to offensive speech through democratic engagement rather than the use of state power.
According to Dr Bawumia, he has faced insults and what he described as falsehoods throughout his public life but has never sought to respond by deploying state institutions against his critics.
“His conviction remains that the answer to offensive speech is better speech, and the answer to falsehood is truth, not handcuffs, courtrooms, and crushing bail conditions imposed on ordinary Ghanaians,” the statement said.
Free speech
The NPP flagbearer argued that Ghana’s democracy is strengthened when citizens can express their opinions, including criticism of political leaders, without fear.
He said this principle should apply even to people who strongly disagree with him politically.
“Ghana’s democracy is strengthened when citizens, including those who oppose us, can speak freely without fear,” Dr Bawumia said.
Dr Bawumia also said he had forgiven the young man involved in the case and wished him well.
He urged political actors from across the political divide to focus their energies on issues that directly affect the Ghanaian people.
The NPP flagbearer said political differences should be managed through democratic dialogue, the exchange of ideas and the presentation of facts.
His calls for prosecution of the NDC organizer to be discontinued is expected to generate further discussion about political tolerance, freedom of expression and the role of state institutions in handling contentious political speech.
Dr Bawumia maintained that the country would benefit more when political actors focus on addressing the concerns of citizens rather than pursuing legal action against individuals over political comments.
The former Vice President encouraged politicians to channel their energies towards addressing the economic and social concerns facing Ghanaians.
Dr Bawumia’s position is that disagreements and controversial statements should, where appropriate, be met with facts, counterarguments and democratic engagement.
The calls for prosecution to be discontinued therefore represent a significant intervention by the NPP flagbearer in a case involving political speech and an opposition party organiser.