The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has rejected allegations by the Minority caucus that the government is undermining freedom of expression, insisting that such claims are overstated.
His response follows a petition presented by the opposition New Patriotic Party to the Diplomatic Corps, calling on the international community to uphold and reaffirm principles such as freedom of expression, judicial independence, due process, and political tolerance in Ghana’s constitutional democracy.
Speaking to journalists after appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, Dr. Ayine stated that while the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, the right is subject to certain limitations under the law.
He stressed that the government remains committed to safeguarding citizens’ rights while maintaining public order and national security.
“They are exaggerating a lot with respect to the gagging of free speech,” he said.
Referencing Article 21 under Chapter Five of the Constitution, Dr. Ayine explained that freedom of expression could be restricted in situations where speech threatens public order or morality.
“You can limit free speech if, for instance, it undermines public order or public morals,” he noted.
The Attorney-General also argued that government has a responsibility to act against speech capable of inciting division or hatred 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.
The comments come amid increasing political tensions between the governing National Democratic Congress and the opposition NPP over issues relating to governance, political freedoms, and accountability.
