Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, Abena Osei-Asare, has urged security agencies to exercise restraint when dealing with citizens arrested or detained over statements they make or publish.
Her comments follow the arrest and detention of nurse Salomey Baffoe Awiti in connection with the “Ghana Jollof” social media account case.
In a statement, Osei-Asare said freedom of speech must protect even expressions that are offensive, irritating or strongly critical of those in power.
She cited Ghana’s 2001 repeal of criminal libel and sedition laws under Act 602, describing the reform as an important step in the country’s democratic development.
“Ghana should not recreate criminal libel in substance under different statutory labels,” she said.
The MP, however, acknowledged that freedom of expression has limits, saying threats, incitement to violence and other criminal conduct must be dealt with under the law.
She stressed the need to distinguish between addressing criminal conduct and using state institutions to punish speech considered offensive or inconvenient.
Osei-Asare also called on the courts to ensure that arrest, remand and bail conditions do not become punishment before trial.
She said the principles should apply regardless of political affiliation, warning that precedents created by one government could affect future administrations.
“Ghana travelled a long and difficult road away from the culture of silence. We should be extremely careful not to find our way back there through another door,” she said.
She added that Ghana’s democratic institutions must be strong enough to accommodate criticism while protecting the right to free expression.
