The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has described the remand of Sunyani East Communications Officer, Abubakar Yakubu, popularly known as Baba Amando, as a regressive move that undermines free speech and democratic expression.
Baba Amando was remanded by an Accra Circuit Court on charges including offensive conduct, false publication, and the circulation of statements likely to incite fear and panic.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Tuesday, April 14, Ahiagbah said the development reflects what he considers an attempt by the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to suppress political expression and limit opposition voices.
He argued that the use of state institutions in such matters was unnecessary and detrimental to democratic governance.
According to him, Baba Amando was only indulging in political satire and commentary, which he argued forms part of legitimate political discourse and should not attract punitive legal action.
Ahiagbah further described the decision to remand the NPP communicator as “regressive,” insisting that it sets a worrying precedent for freedom of expression.
“This is not progressive. It is regressive and President Mahama must act to stop this. Why would you want to remand an individual over this? I don’t see the value of spending state time and resource to try and pursue this meaningless effort. I don’t think this is necessary.
“It is bad for our democracy and an attempt to limit people’s ability to speak. I think the NDC and the government is aware that they cannot silence the NPP. The earlier they stop this the better,” he said.
He maintained that the NPP will continue to engage in political discourse despite what he described as efforts to clamp down on dissenting voices.
Afenyo-Markin slams Circuit Court judge over remand of NPP’s Baba Amando
