Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has called for the release of Techiman-based nurse and mother of three, Salomey Bafor Awiti, who he says has been remanded for two weeks over allegations that she aided the publication of false news.
In a statement, Dr. Bawumia described reports of Ms. Awiti’s arrest by national intelligence officers in the middle of the night as “very worrying,” arguing that the development raises concerns about the protection of citizens’ right to free expression.
He said such incidents did not represent the Ghana he wanted to see built, adding that intelligence agencies should not be used to pursue citizens over alleged insults against the president or other individuals.
“I can assure Ghanaians that when given the opportunity, our intelligence agencies will not be reduced to chasing citizens for insulting the President or anyone else,” Dr. Bawumia said.
He, however, stressed the importance of maintaining civility in Ghana’s political discourse, saying he had consistently opposed the use of insults in politics.
“I have always disavowed a politics of insults and will remind all in the political space of the need to be decorous,” he said.
According to Dr. Bawumia, political discourse should focus on ideas capable of contributing to national development rather than personal attacks.
“The ideas we need to transform our nation won’t come from insults,” he said.
He nevertheless cautioned the government against actions that could infringe on citizens’ right to free speech, arguing that restrictions on freedom of expression could undermine Ghana’s democratic development.
“Free speech, as unpalatable as it may be sometimes, is the foundation of our democracy,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia also accused the government of selectively applying the law, alleging that some citizens are able to make insulting comments without facing consequences while others are arrested or jailed depending on the person targeted by their remarks.
He called on the government to release Ms. Awiti and other individuals whom he said had been similarly charged and detained.
“Please release Salomey Bafor Awiti and others who have been similarly charged and jailed,” he said.
He concluded the statement by invoking a line from Ghana’s national anthem, calling on Ghanaians to resist what he described as “oppressors’ rule.”
Source: www.kumasimail.com
