A Ghanaian lawyer and political figure has warned that recent arrests of commentators and opposition voices risk undermining democratic freedoms, describing the trend as a “criminalisation of free speech.”
Charles Owusu Juanah, chairman of the Friends of Bawumia, said on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (27 May) that the state may be overstepping constitutional limits in responding to dissent.
“Using the law to fight against people’s opinions and expression is against human rights,” he said.
Juanah argued that Ghana’s 1992 Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and provides civil remedies—such as defamation suits—when individuals feel wronged, rather than criminal sanctions.
He pointed to the repeal of the criminal libel law in 2001 as a deliberate democratic reform to prevent the state from punishing speech critical of government.
“We took it out because it does not help the development of the democracy we have chosen,” he said.
The lawyer questioned the proportionality of recent arrests, citing cases where individuals have been detained or remanded over comments on social issues such as power outages.
“If someone says ‘dumsor is back’ and you arrest him, under what circumstance?” he asked.
Juanah warned that such actions could signal a creeping return to restrictive practices, cautioning that democracies can deteriorate when governments suppress dissent.
“That is how it starts… before it begins to take roots and wings,” he said.
He acknowledged that free speech is not absolute but insisted that any limitations must strictly follow legal procedures and respect constitutional safeguards.
“You don’t take action and get police to arrest someone because he said something,” he added.
Juanah urged authorities to prioritise dialogue over coercion, arguing that public criticism can serve as feedback rather than a threat.
“Hard words break no bones,” he said, calling for tolerance and engagement instead of enforcement.
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