Former Vice President and 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue the prosecution of an organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Agona West who was arrested for allegedly publishing false news and making offensive comments about him.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, July 22, Dr. Bawumia said he had neither lodged a complaint nor authorised any prosecution against the individual or any other citizen over comments made about him.
“The attention of the Office of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been drawn to the arrest and arraignment of an organiser of the National Democratic Congress in Agona West,” the statement said.
Dr. Bawumia stressed that he does not support the arrest or prosecution of any Ghanaian in his name over speech.
“He has neither lodged any complaint nor sanctioned any prosecution against this young man or any other citizen. He does not desire, and will not endorse, the arrest or prosecution of any Ghanaian in his name for speech,” the statement noted.
According to Dr. Bawumia, throughout his public life he has been the target of insults and falsehoods but has never resorted to the use of state institutions to respond.
He maintained that offensive speech should be countered with better speech, while falsehoods should be addressed with the truth rather than arrests, court prosecutions or stringent bail conditions.
The former Vice President therefore appealed to the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue the case and any similar prosecutions purportedly initiated on his behalf.
“He therefore respectfully calls on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue this prosecution and any similar actions purportedly undertaken on his behalf, and to release the young man to return to his family and his livelihood,” the statement said.
Dr. Bawumia also stated that Ghana’s democracy is strengthened when citizens, including political opponents, are able to express themselves freely without fear.
He further said he forgives the NDC organiser, wished him well, and urged all political actors to focus their efforts on addressing issues that matter to the Ghanaian people rather than engaging in divisive political exchanges.
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