By Ashiadey Dotse
Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has dismissed claims by the Minority caucus that the Mahama administration is suppressing free speech, describing the allegations as exaggerated.
His comments follow a petition presented by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the diplomatic corps, calling on the international community to defend freedom of expression, judicial independence, due process, and political tolerance in Ghana.
Speaking to journalists after appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, Dr Ayine said the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech but also places limits on it under certain circumstances.
According to him, the government remains committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens while maintaining public order and national stability.
“They are exaggerating a lot with respect to the gagging of free speech,” he said.
Dr Ayine explained that Article 21 of Chapter Five of the Constitution allows restrictions on speech when it threatens public order or public morality.
He noted that government cannot ignore statements that promote hatred or threaten peace in society.
“If someone is inciting hatred in our society, we do not expect that the Minority will say we should sit down idle as a government and allow that person to go on,” he stated.
The Attorney General maintained that the government’s actions are aimed at preserving peace and protecting the country’s democratic system, not silencing opposing views.
