Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called for the immediate discontinuation of the prosecution of a National Democratic Congress (NDC) organiser from Agona West, insisting that he has never authorised or requested the legal action.
In a statement issued by his Communications Directorate, Dr. Bawumia said he had neither lodged a complaint nor sanctioned the arrest and prosecution of the young man, who is facing charges for allegedly publishing false news and making offensive comments about him.
The former Vice President stressed that he does not support the use of state institutions to prosecute citizens over speech made against him.
“I have neither lodged any complaint nor sanctioned any prosecution against this young man or any other citizen. I do not desire, and will not endorse, the arrest or prosecution of any Ghanaian in my name for speech,” the statement said.
Dr. Bawumia noted that throughout his public life, he has been subjected to insults, misinformation and false allegations but has consistently refrained from responding through the coercive powers of the state.
He argued that democratic societies should confront offensive speech with facts rather than criminal prosecution.
“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 added.
Dr. Bawumia therefore appealed to the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to withdraw the case and any other similar prosecutions purportedly initiated on his behalf.
He also called for the immediate release of the accused, saying the young man should be allowed to return to his family and livelihood.
According to the statement, Ghana’s democratic credentials are strengthened when citizens, including political opponents, are able to express themselves freely without fear of arrest or prosecution.
Dr. Bawumia further stated that he bears no grudge against the accused.
“He 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.
The statement was signed by the Communications Directorate of the Office of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
