New Patriotic Party (NPP) Flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has warned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government against any infringement on the right to free speech, saying such actions could undermine Ghana’s democracy.
His comments follow the arrest and two-week remand of Techiman-based nurse Salomey Bafoh Awiti, who is facing a charge of abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news.
Ms Bafoh, a mother of three, was arrested at her home in Hansua, near Techiman, on September 13, 2026, and subsequently brought before the Adentan Circuit Court. She pleaded not guilty and was remanded to reappear on September 30.
In a Facebook post on Friday, September 18, Dr Bawumia described the circumstances surrounding her arrest and detention as “very worrying” and said the right to free expression must be protected.
“I have always disavowed a politics of insults and will remind all in the political space of the need to be decorous. The ideas we need to transform our nation won’t come from insults,” he said.
“But I also remind the NDC government that any infringement on the right to free speech pushes our democracy backwards. Free speech, as unpalatable as it may be sometimes, is the foundation of our democracy,” he added.
Dr. Bawumia urged the government to ensure the release of all suspects arrested and charged on similar counts adding that a government under his leadership will not allow the arrest of citizens for insults directed at the president.