The opposition New Patriotic Social gathering (NPP) has condemned the arrest and remand of Bono regional chairman Kwame Baffoe (often known as Abronye), saying the method is a violation of constitutional protections and a risk to freedom of expression.
Deputy Minority Chief Patricia Appiaguey stated the arrests violated Article 14 of the 1992 Structure, which ensures particular person freedom.
“We’re trying on the constitutional provision that claims nobody could be disadvantaged of liberty besides in clearly outlined circumstances,” she stated on Asase Radio on Monday, Could 18, arguing that this case doesn’t meet that commonplace.
Mrs. Appiagi insisted that Mr. Baffour’s feedback amounted to criticism, not criminality, and warned in opposition to what he described because the criminalization of dissent.
“We’re not encouraging contempt, however each citizen has the best to criticize the system,” she stated.
He additionally questioned the authorized foundation for Baffoe’s detention, arguing that as of the shut of enterprise on Friday, no formal documentation had been submitted justifying the remand.
She stated the argument that the defendant would have the ability to proceed making public feedback if granted bail was inadequate grounds for detention.
“It is persecution, not prosecution,” she stated.
The NPP has additionally expressed concern over makes an attempt to not directly reintroduce felony defamation legal guidelines in Ghana, which have been abolished greater than 20 years in the past.
