Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has urged authorities to exercise restraint in the arrest and prosecution of political actors over comments made against public officials.
He said Ghana’s democracy could be undermined if the criminal justice system was perceived to be used selectively in political disputes, particularly in cases involving comments made on social media and other public platforms.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh made the call when he spoke at the Mampong Ohum/Odwira 2026 celebration, where he cautioned political leaders and citizens to be mindful of the consequences of their actions and words.
“Power is transient,” he said, urging those who wield political authority to remember that positions of power are temporary and that political circumstances can change.
addressing the gathering
He said political actors should, therefore, avoid creating a system in which individuals could face arrest or prosecution for political commentary, while similar conduct by others was treated differently.
According to him, the rule of law must be applied fairly and consistently, irrespective of the political affiliation of the individuals involved.
His comments come at a time of growing public discussion over the arrest and prosecution of individuals over alleged offensive, defamatory or threatening comments directed at political figures.
The issue has generated debate over the extent to which the law should regulate political speech and how authorities can protect public order while safeguarding the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh said although citizens had a responsibility to communicate responsibly, particularly on social media, political criticism should not automatically be treated as criminal conduct.
He noted that the growing influence of social media had transformed political communication, with young people in particular increasingly using digital platforms to express their views about political leaders, public officials and their families.
He urged citizens to avoid insults and inflammatory language but said political leaders must also be prepared to tolerate criticism as part of democratic engagement.
The Minority Chief Whip further appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders and other influential figures to help promote responsible political discourse and encourage citizens to express their views without resorting to personal attacks.
He said political parties and their supporters also had a role to play in reducing tensions by promoting respectful engagement, even when disagreements over national issues were intense.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh maintained that Ghana’s democratic institutions must uphold fairness, due process and equal application of the law.
He said these principles were particularly important in politically sensitive cases, where the actions of state institutions could have implications for public confidence in the country’s democratic system.
He, therefore, called for restraint from all sides, saying political differences should be addressed through democratic institutions and lawful processes rather than actions that could deepen political tensions.
His comments have added to the ongoing national discussion about the boundaries of political expression, particularly the distinction between legitimate criticism, offensive speech and statements that may fall foul of the law.
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