IERPP calls for consistent enforcement of political speech laws, urges review of false publication offences

The Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP) has urged for uniform enforcement of laws governing political speech in Ghana, highlighting concerns that selective application could jeopardize free expression and public trust in the country's justice system. During a press conference on Monday, the institute pointed to the recent sentencing of content creator Camilla Alhassan for defamatory online remarks about President John Dramani Mahama, reigniting discussions on balancing reputation protection with free speech.

While upholding the judiciary's independence and the rule of law, IERPP questioned whether criminal penalties are the best response to political commentary. Executive Director Prof. Isaac Boadi noted that Ghanaian politics has seen both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) face harsh personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations that often went unpunished.

This history, according to the institute, demonstrates the necessity for laws to apply equally to all, regardless of the political party in power.

IERPP stressed that if criminal sanctions are to be imposed for publishing false information and offensive political conduct, these laws must be uniformly applied rather than selectively targeting certain individuals or political opponents. The institute advocated for civil defamation actions as the primary legal remedy for reputational harm instead of custodial sentences.

IERPP recommended that the judiciary and legal reform advocates review laws concerning the publication of false information to prevent their misuse in silencing legitimate political expression. Additionally, the institute called on political parties, communicators, and civil society organizations to foster issue-based political discourse and refrain from personal attacks, misinformation, and character assassination.

The institute emphasized that upholding Ghana's democratic tradition requires balancing accountability with safeguarding citizens' constitutional right to freedom of expression.