The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has pushed back strongly against claims by the Minority caucus that the Mahama administration is suppressing free speech, insisting that constitutional freedoms must be exercised within legal boundaries.
His response follows a petition by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the Diplomatic Corps, calling on the international community to safeguard freedom of expression, judicial independence, political tolerance, and due process in Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking to journalists after appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Dr. Ayine described the Minority’s accusations as overstated and lacking balance, stressing that Ghana’s Constitution does not grant unrestricted freedom of speech.
According to him, Chapter Five of the Constitution, particularly Article 21, allows limitations on speech in situations where public order, morality, or national cohesion may be threatened.
“They are exaggerating a lot with respect to the gagging of free speech,” he stated. “There are limits if you look at Chapter 5 of the Constitution, Article 21 which deals with fundamental human rights and freedoms.”
The Attorney General argued that government cannot remain passive when speech is used to inflame tensions or promote division in society.
“If someone is inciting hatred in our society, we do not expect that the Minority will say we should sit down idle as a government and allow that person to go on,” he added.
Dr. Ayine further assured that the government remains committed to protecting democratic rights and civil liberties while maintaining peace, stability, and public order across the country.
