Bawumia: Intelligence agencies won’t chase citizens for insulting President under my tenure

Former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has vowed to prevent intelligence agencies from pursuing citizens for insulting the President or other public figures during his tenure. This statement comes in response to the recent arrest of a Techiman-based nurse, Salomey Bafor Awiti, who has been held for two weeks on allegations of being involved in the creation of the anonymous "Ghana Jollof" social media account.

The "Ghana Jollof" account was reportedly impersonating a London-based Ghanaian nurse, Barbara Asantewaa Kodua. Bawumia expressed concern over the arrest, stating that it was a worrying development and a potential infringement on citizens' right to free speech. He emphasized his opposition to a politics of insults and urged political actors and citizens to conduct themselves with decorum, stating that meaningful nation-building wouldn't come from insults.

However, Bawumia stressed that any attempt to restrict free expression could undermine Ghana's democratic development. He also criticized the selective application of the law, pointing out that while some citizens can insult without consequence, others face arrest and prosecution depending on the target of their comments. Bawumia called for the immediate release of Awiti and others similarly charged and detained, urging Ghanaians to uphold democratic freedoms and resist what he termed "oppressors' rule."