The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has strongly defended recent law enforcement actions against members of the opposition, rejecting claims that the government is attempting to silence dissenting voices.
Speaking on the sidelines of proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Dr. Ayine said Ghana’s constitutional guarantee of free speech does not place citizens above the law, stressing that freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly and within legal limits.
His comments come amid growing criticism from the Minority New Patriotic Party over the detention and investigation of the party’s Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC.
Abronye DC is currently being investigated over allegations of offensive conduct and the publication of statements deemed likely to cause fear and panic, a development that has triggered political debate over civil liberties and political expression.
Dr. Ayine dismissed suggestions that the investigations represent a broader assault on free speech, insisting that constitutional rights are accompanied by responsibilities and legal boundaries.
According to him, the application of the law must remain impartial, regardless of political affiliation, adding that no individual should be exempt from accountability under the Constitution.
The Attorney-General further maintained that safeguarding public order and responsible public discourse remains essential to protecting Ghana’s democratic system, especially during periods of heightened political tension.
