Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to grant a presidential pardon to social media activist Camilla Alhassan, while calling for the repeal of Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Afenyo-Markin made the appeal during the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards Night on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel Convention Centre in Accra, where President Mahama attended as Guest of Honour.
Camilla Alhassan is serving a one-year prison sentence over TikTok comments critical of the President and his government, which were deemed offensive by the authorities.
Addressing the gathering, the Minority Leader expressed concern about what he described as an emerging climate of fear surrounding public criticism, particularly on social media.
He warned that the increasing involvement of state institutions, including the police and other security agencies, in matters relating to citizens’ online comments could undermine Ghana’s democratic credentials if left unchecked.
According to him, the continued use of criminal laws to address expressions and publications risks discouraging citizens from holding public officials accountable.
Afenyo-Markin argued that Ghana must protect the democratic gains made following the repeal of criminal and seditious libel laws under the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor in 2001.
He cautioned against any development that could recreate an atmosphere in which journalists, activists and ordinary citizens feel intimidated into silence for expressing dissenting views.
Making a direct appeal to President Mahama, he urged the President to use his constitutional powers to consider granting clemency to Camilla Alhassan.
“I therefore appeal to H.E. the President to consider pardoning Camilla Alhassan, who is in jail because she engaged in social media activity,” he said.
The Minority Leader also called for the immediate repeal of Section 208 of Act 29, which criminalises the publication of false news likely to cause fear and alarm to the public.
He maintained that the provision could be used to suppress legitimate criticism and restrict freedom of expression, particularly when applied to public commentary and political discourse.
Afenyo-Markin stressed, however, that his call for the protection of free speech should not be interpreted as an endorsement of irresponsible publications or statements that could damage reputations, threaten lives or disturb public peace.
He argued that disputes involving defamation, libel and damaging publications should primarily be resolved through civil legal remedies rather than criminal prosecution.
“Freedom of expression is not a license for irresponsibility, but defamation, libel and false publications should be addressed through civil action, not criminal prosecution,” he stressed.
He further urged President Mahama to ensure that government appointees and state institutions, particularly the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), operate strictly within the law and avoid actions that could be interpreted as political intimidation or persecution.
Afenyo-Markin also cautioned against what he described as attempts to reintroduce criminal and seditious libel practices through the application of other criminal provisions against individuals for their speech and publications.
He assured the gathering that the Minority would continue to defend the rights of Ghanaians to express opinions, question public officials and criticise government policies, regardless of their political affiliations.
“We must not allow fear and panic to become the new language of political control. We must not allow prosecution of speech to become normalized. The Minority will continue to defend the right of every Ghanaian to speak, question, criticize, publish and disagree,” he declared.
He added that the protection of freedom of expression must extend even to individuals who criticise the Minority, insisting that the right to free speech belongs to every Ghanaian, irrespective of political affiliation or professional background.
The Minority Leader concluded by calling for a democratic environment that promotes accountability and responsible public discourse without resorting to intimidation or repression.
Meanwhile, the awards ceremony also recognised outstanding contributions to journalism, with Philip Osei Bonsu, popularly known as OB of Asempa FM, emerging as Journalist of the Year at the 30th GJA Media Awards.
