By Ashiadey Dotse
Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to pursue a legacy of tolerance and free speech amid public debate over the arrest of some members and supporters of the opposition party over alleged false publications and comments viewed as threatening toward the President.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Afenyo-Markin said that while freedom of expression is protected under Ghana’s democratic system, authorities must exercise restraint and avoid actions that could create fear or suppress political criticism.
His comments come in the context of recent concerns surrounding arrests linked to the circulation of false information and alleged statements by some individuals, including comments interpreted as calls for harm against President Mahama.
Afenyo-Markin acknowledged that free speech is not absolute and stated that expressions that encourage violence, threaten lives or incite harm fall outside constitutional protections.
“If you threaten assassination, encourage violence or call for harm against another person, that is not generally protected under free speech,” he said.
However, he argued that state institutions should carefully assess the context of public statements before taking action, adding that responses should remain measured and consistent with due process.
According to him, authorities must distinguish between genuine threats, political commentary, satire and offensive speech to avoid setting precedents that future governments may abuse.
The Minority Leader maintained that excessive use of state power in response to political speech risks undermining democratic values and public confidence in governance.
He also cautioned against what he described as a continuing cycle in Ghana’s political culture, where actions taken by one administration become justification for similar conduct by the next.
“We should not continue to say that because it happened yesterday, it should happen today and tomorrow. That cycle must end,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin further called on political actors across party lines to promote moderation and dialogue while respecting citizens’ rights and the rule of law.
He concluded by urging President Mahama to leave office with a reputation for strengthening democratic freedoms and fostering a political atmosphere built on tolerance rather than intimidation.
