Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has defended the government’s position on free speech, insisting that freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly and within the limits of the law.
Speaking in an interview with journalists, Dr. Ayine rejected claims by the Minority that the government was attempting to suppress free speech and dissenting opinions in the country.
“I think that the Minority is exaggerating a lot with respect to the question of gagging free speech,” he stated.
According to him, although Ghana’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and other fundamental rights, such freedoms are not absolute and can be restricted under specific circumstances.
“There are limits. You can limit free speech if, for instance, it is something that can undermine public order, public morals, or for law enforcement reasons,” he explained.
Dr. Ayine argued that the government cannot remain passive when individuals use public platforms to spread messages capable of inciting hatred, division or violence in society.
“So if someone, for instance, is inciting hatred in our society, we do not expect that the Minority will say that we should sit down idly as a government and allow that person to go on,” he said.
He referenced the role of dangerous speech and media propaganda during the Rwandan genocide as an example of the consequences of unchecked incitement.
“Those are some of the things that led to wars in countries such as Rwanda. It was the use of the media that incited the genocide that eventually took place in Rwanda,” he added.
Dr. Ayine maintained that the government under John Dramani Mahama remains committed to protecting democratic freedoms and freedom of expression.
“He understands the importance of free speech in a democratic society,” he noted.
However, he cautioned against the abuse of freedom of expression in ways that could threaten peace and public order.
His comments follow recent remarks by Salam Mustapha and also come amid discussions surrounding the remand of Kwame Baffoe over allegations of offensive conduct likely to breach the peace and publication of false statements against a judge.
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