Threats Against President Are Not Protected Free Speech – Felix Kwakye Ofosu

The Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has defended the arrest of individuals alleged to have threatened the life of President John Dramani Mahama, insisting that such actions should not be mistaken for an infringement on freedom of speech.

Speaking on Face to Face on Channel One TV and Citi FM, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu argued that the constitutional right to free expression does not extend to making threats against the life of the President.”You cannot say people are being arrested for free speech when they are making threats against the life of the President,” he stated.

The minister also took a swipe at former Vice President and the 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, accusing him of adopting a selective approach to issues concerning the rule of law.

According to him, Dr. Bawumia has criticised recent arrests under the current administration but remained silent when similar incidents occurred during the tenure of the previous NPP government.

Mr. Kwakye Ofosu maintained that the government’s actions are guided by the rule of law and stressed that the security agencies have a responsibility to investigate and deal with alleged threats against the President in accordance with the laws of Ghana.

His remarks come amid ongoing public and political debate over the balance between safeguarding constitutional freedoms and enforcing laws against alleged criminal threats.

The comments have further fuelled partisan discussions on the application of justice and whether law enforcement agencies apply the law consistently, regardless of which political party is in power.