Presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue the prosecution of a National Democratic Congress Branch Organiser accused of publishing false news and making offensive comments about him.
A statement issued by his communications team said Dr Bawumia had neither filed a complaint against the accused person nor authorised anybody to initiate criminal proceedings on his behalf.
The accused, Prince Aboagye, is a branch organiser of the NDC in the Agona West Constituency. He was arrested on Monday and charged with offensive conduct conducive to a breach of the peace and the publication of false news.
“Dr. Bawumia wishes to state, clearly and unequivocally, that he has neither lodged any complaint nor sanctioned any prosecution against this young man or any other citizen,” the statement said.
“He does not desire, and will not endorse, the arrest or prosecution of any Ghanaian in his name for speech,” the statement said.
The statement said further:
“Dr. Bawumia has been the subject of insults and falsehoods throughout his public life. He has never responded with the instruments of state power, and he will not begin now,” the statement said.
“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.”
Dr. Bawumia’s position comes after a series of arrests of individuals, many of whom are perceived to be affiliated with the NPP, sparked concerns about freedom of expression.
Most of those arrested and prosecuted have been accused of using offensive language or directing insults at President John Mahama and members of his family.
The Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has also expressed concern, warning that the increasing use of arrests in cases involving speech and public commentary could set a dangerous precedent if not carefully managed.
“When you start arresting people for insults, other kinds of behavior, including commentary on public policy and things like that, that is a slippery slope nobody wants to get in. This is not just a question of whether it is political actors.
“We are all going to be at risk if our voices are going to be attacked that way. This is about citizens; it happened to even media people online,” CDD’s Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement Kojo Pumpuni Asante said on Citi FM in May.
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, 22 July 2026.
DR. BAWUMIA CALLS FOR THE DISCONTINUATION OF PROSECUTIONS UNDERTAKEN IN HIS NAME. pic.twitter.com/R82axrz1qq
— Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (@MBawumia) July 22, 2026