Former Member of Parliament for Sekondi and legal practitioner, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has criticised the arrest and prosecution of Kwame Baffoe, popularly called Abronye, insisting there is no legal basis for the charges brought against the opposition figure.
Speaking on Ekosii Sen on Asempa FM, Mr. Mercer alleged that the government’s actions were part of attempts to clamp down on free speech and suppress dissenting opinions.
According to him, the decision by the New Patriotic Party to petition the diplomatic community was aimed at drawing international attention to what the party describes as the growing criminalisation of free speech in Ghana.
“We are a sovereign nation, but we are not an island. We operate within the global community,” he stated.
Mr. Mercer said the NPP had consistently protested against what it perceives as attacks on freedom of expression, but claimed those concerns had largely been ignored by government.
“It is important that we as a Minority draw the attention of the international community so that within diplomatic circles the government will be engaged,” he said.
The former legislator stressed that although he does not support insults or disrespectful political discourse, he believes the state’s response to comments allegedly made by Abronye DC was excessive.
“I don’t subscribe to disrespectful politics or insults, and the NPP also does not support that,” he noted.
Mr. Mercer explained that after reviewing the charge sheet, he found nothing that justified the arrest or prosecution of the NPP Bono Regional Chairman.
“I took a look at the charge sheet to see which part was insulting. It is opinion. His view is that the conduct of the judge does not fit that of a judge but one of a politician clothed in judicial apparel. How is that offensive?” he questioned.
He argued that the continued detention of Abronye DC raises concerns about the government’s commitment to democratic principles and freedom of expression.
“Clearly there is no basis for the charge or the arrest. So what is the state doing if their attempt is not to clamp down on free speech? Because everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” he added.
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