The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has dismissed claims by the Minority caucus that the Mahama government is gagging free speech, describing the allegations as exaggerated.
His comments come in response to a petition submitted by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the Diplomatic Corps, in which they urged the international community to reaffirm the importance of freedom of expression, judicial independence, due process, and political tolerance within Ghana’s constitutional democracy.
Speaking to journalists after appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Dr. Ayine argued that while freedom of expression is guaranteed, it is not absolute under the Constitution.
Dr. Ayine maintained that the government remains committed to protecting citizens’ rights and freedoms, while also ensuring public order and national stability.
“They are exaggerating a lot with respect to the gagging of free speech. There are limits if you look at Chapter 5 of the Constitution, Article 21 which deals with fundamental human rights and freedoms. You can limit free speech if for instance it undermines public order or public morals.
“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 said.
