Mahama Not Behind Arrests of NPP Members, Law Is Taking Its Course — Baah Acheamfuor
NDC Ashanti Regional Deputy Secretary Defends Security Agencies’ Actions, Urges Responsible Political Criticism and Respect for Rule of Law
- Baah Acheamfuor says Mahama is not behind arrests of NPP members
- NDC official defends security agencies’ role in maintaining law and order
- He urges constructive criticism and respect for responsible free speech
The Ashanti Regional Deputy Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Baah Acheamfuor, has dismissed claims by some members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the John Mahama-led government is using state institutions to suppress free speech through the arrest of political opponents.
According to him, President John Dramani Mahama has no direct involvement in the arrests of some NPP members, insisting that the actions being taken are purely matters of law enforcement and due process.
Speaking in an interview with Kwame Tanko on the Ghana Se Sen Show on Lawson TV/Radio, Baah Acheamfuor argued that while every Ghanaian has the constitutional right to criticize government, such criticism must be done responsibly and within the boundaries of the law.
“You have the right to criticize, but you must also remember that others have rights too. If someone is unhappy with your comments, the person also has the right to seek redress,” he stated.
He maintained that the country’s security agencies have a constitutional responsibility to maintain peace and sanity in society, especially in situations where public comments are deemed inflammatory or unlawful.
According to him, it is wrong for critics to conclude that President Mahama personally ordered the arrest of any individual when he is not the complainant in such matters.
“What they are doing may be outside the law, but if security agencies act within the remit of the law, you cannot say the President ordered somebody’s arrest,” he stressed.
Acheamfuor further alleged that during the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, some journalists were forced to flee the country after criticizing the government.
He argued that comparisons between the NDC and NPP on issues of freedom of speech have often been unfair to the NDC, insisting that the current administration remains committed to democratic principles and freedom of expression.
“The NDC is not attacking NPP members, but criticism must be constructive,” he added.
He warned that failure to sanitize the political space could encourage lawlessness and irresponsible public commentary.
“If we don’t sanitize the system, everybody will do or say whatever they want,” he cautioned.
