Former Vice—President and 2028 flag bearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged political parties and their supporters to channel their energies towards issues that affect the lives of the citizenry rather than personal attacks and legal battles.
He said he remained committed to a political environment where disagreements were resolved through ideas, constructive debate and the exchange of policies rather than the prosecution of citizens.
Dr Bawumia made the call in a statement following the arrest and arraignment of an organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Agona West, who is facing prosecution for allegedly publishing false news and making offensive comments about him.
Democratic values
The statement from the Office of Dr Bawumia said he believed Ghana’s democracy was strengthened when citizens, including political opponents, were allowed to express themselves freely without fear.
It said the former Vice-President had been subjected to insults and falsehoods throughout his public life but had never responded by using state institutions against those who criticised him.
“His conviction remains that the answer to offensive speech is better speech, and the answer to falsehood is truth, not handcuffs, courtrooms, and crushing bail conditions imposed on ordinary Ghanaians,” the statement said.
The statement clarified that Dr Bawumia had neither lodged any complaint nor sanctioned any prosecution against the NDC organiser or any other citizen over comments made about him.
It said he did not desire, and would not endorse the arrest or prosecution of any Ghanaian in his name for speech.
The former Vice-President consequently called on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue the prosecution and any similar actions purportedly undertaken on his behalf.
Background
The Agona West NDC branch organiser was arrested and arraigned for allegedly publishing false news and making offensive comments about Dr Bawumia.
The case attracted public attention, with discussions centred on the need to balance the protection of individuals from defamatory statements with the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
The accused was subsequently granted bail by the court as the legal process continued.
Politics of ideas
Dr Bawumia said political actors must focus on developing solutions to challenges confronting the country instead of allowing disagreements to become personal disputes
He urged political parties, their supporters and other stakeholders to prioritise policies, development concerns and matters that directly affected the welfare of Ghanaians.
“Dr Bawumia forgives the young man, wishes him well, and urges all political actors to channel their energies toward the issues that matter to the Ghanaian people,” the statement concluded.
