‘Arresting people over insults hurts the government’ – Dafeamekpor

Dafeamekpor, the Majority Chief Whip, has voiced his disapproval of the arrest and detention of individuals for remarks perceived as insulting to the government or its officials. He warns that such actions may harm the administration rather than safeguard it. While he acknowledges that insults against public officials are regrettable and should not be encouraged, he emphasizes that they do not necessarily threaten the government and should not lead to arrests.

The South Dayi MP expresses his dissatisfaction with recent arrests, arguing that they generate unwanted controversy for the government. He attributes these actions to the police rather than official sanction. Dafeamekpor urges the government to scrutinize the issue more closely, especially as concerns mount that such arrests could be interpreted as the administration being intolerant of criticism and dissent.

In an interview with TV3, he asserts that the government should focus on fulfilling its mandate given by the people rather than allowing political commentary arrests to divert attention from its work. He firmly states that while offensive comments should not be tolerated, the broader political and democratic implications of arresting people for their words must also be taken into account.

His remarks come amid a renewed debate on free speech and the use of state institutions following the NPP's protest on August 6, which accused the government of political persecution, selective justice, and abuse of state institutions.