The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has criticized the government led by President John Dramani Mahama, claiming that recent arrests of NPP supporters over comments made on social media reflect oppressive and authoritarian governance.
His remarks followed the arrest of TikToker Akosua Serwah Minat, who was reportedly detained for allegedly making threats against the President.
In a post on X, Ahiagbah accused the administration of turning Ghana’s democracy into what he described as a cruel and unfair system that abuses state power. He said it was deeply shameful that a democratic government was, in his view, behaving tyrannically.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Emmanuel Bombande argued that hate speech should not be mistaken for freedom of expression. Speaking on TV3’s Key Points programme on May 23, he said it would be misleading for anyone to defend hateful comments under the guise of free speech.
Bombande made the comments while discussing the arrest of NPP Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, who was charged with false publication.
Abronye later appeared before the High Court in Accra seeking bail pending trial. His legal team, led by former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame and former Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, requested that he be granted bail.
The prosecution, represented by Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai, did not oppose the application. The court subsequently granted Abronye bail of GH¢100,000 with two sureties.
As part of the bail conditions, he is required to report to the Police CID every two weeks, surrender his travel documents, and seek permission before travelling outside the country.
His earlier remand sparked criticism from some NPP members and legal analysts, who argued that his constitutional rights had been violated. However, the judge explained that the remand decision was based on concerns that he could commit another offence if released immediately.
Source: 3newsghana
