Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has condemned threats against President John Dramani Mahama and his children, describing such statements as criminal conduct that cannot be justified under the protection of free speech.
He cautioned political leaders against condoning or defending threats of violence for partisan political interests, stressing that the right to freedom of expression must not be used as a shield for criminal behaviour.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu made the remarks in Accra on behalf of President Mahama at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards.
Addressing the gathering, he argued that threats to take the lives of the President and his children went beyond the boundaries of legitimate political expression.
“Threatening to kill a president and his children is not free speech. It is brazen criminality. We, as political leaders, must not lend support to this level of criminality only because it enures to the benefits of our political fortunes,” he said.
The Minister also called for greater consistency in the defence of media freedom, particularly when journalists come under attack for reporting on sensitive national issues or publishing information that may be uncomfortable for political actors.
He recalled instances in which journalists in Ghana had been forced to flee the country over fears for their safety after publishing critical reports, arguing that commitments to freedom of expression must be upheld regardless of the political circumstances.
“Our words in support of free speech must not ring hollow, especially when in the north, in the past, journalists had to flee our country for fear of their lives because they published uncomfortable truths,” he stated.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu further warned against using the fight against hate speech as a pretext to suppress dissenting views, critical journalism or opinions that challenge those in authority.
He maintained that a healthy democracy must allow citizens to express divergent views and hold public officials accountable, while drawing a firm line between legitimate expression and deliberate attempts to provoke violence or hatred.
According to him, democratic societies must protect the right to disagree but should not tolerate the deliberate promotion of hostility, violence and intolerance.
“Democracy thrives on disagreement, and what it cannot accommodate is the deliberate incitement of hatred, violence, and intolerance. A clear distinction must be struck between criminal conduct and the expression of free speech,” he added.
His remarks come amid broader discussions about the responsibility of political leaders, media practitioners and other public figures in promoting responsible public discourse, particularly in an increasingly polarised digital environment.
The comments were delivered at the 30th GJA Media Awards, organised under the theme, “Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age.”
The annual awards ceremony brought together journalists, media executives, public officials and other stakeholders to recognise outstanding contributions to journalism and examine challenges confronting the media industry, including the protection of press freedom and the growing influence of digital platforms.
The event also provided an opportunity to reflect on the need to safeguard freedom of expression while promoting accountability and responsible communication in Ghana’s democratic space.
By 1960news.com
