Disproportionate arrests over criticism may create ‘undeserving martyrs’ – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has warned against the disproportionate use of arrests in response to criticism or politically charged statements. He stated that such actions could give rise to "undeserving martyrs" and damage public trust in government institutions. The President made these remarks in a letter, signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, which called for a national stakeholder engagement on the issue of hate speech, abusive language, and harmful content on digital platforms.

The letter emphasized that while hate speech, threats, and other unlawful actions must be dealt with, legitimate political commentary and dissent should not be criminalized. Mahama stressed the need for a comprehensive national plan that safeguards freedom of expression while effectively responding to genuinely harmful digital content.

The proposed stakeholder meeting aims to bring together various stakeholders, such as the National Media Commission, Ghana Police Service, civil society organizations, traditional media outlets, religious bodies, content creators, bloggers, and influencers. These discussions will cover aspects like the adequacy of existing legal frameworks, the distinction between lawful criticism and unlawful speech, practical guidelines for law enforcement, public education, digital literacy, ethical standards for online creators, and accessible complaint mechanisms.