The Media Research Institute (MRi) has described the one-year prison sentence handed to TikToker Camilla Alhassan as harsh and has called on President John Dramani Mahama to grant her a presidential pardon.
The Institute said although Camilla’s comments were unacceptable, the punishment was excessive and could undermine free speech and Ghana’s democracy.
In a press release issued on Friday, July 17, MRi urged the President to exercise his constitutional power of pardon, similar to the decision taken in 2016 when the “Montie Three” were released after serving one month of a four-month prison sentence.
The Institute argued that political activists from both major political parties have made offensive public comments over the years without facing similar punishment, raising concerns about what it described as the selective application of the law.
The Institute cited examples involving Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and NDC’s Malik Basintale, saying neither was prosecuted despite making controversial public remarks. According to MRi, Camilla’s imprisonment sends the wrong signal that the law is applied differently to ordinary citizens than to influential politicians.
It warned that such actions could discourage free expression and weaken public confidence in the country’s justice system.
MRi called on the government to strengthen civic education by providing more resources to the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and encouraging faith-based and civil society organisations to promote responsible political communication.
While urging social media users to exercise restraint and decency, the Institute also called on political leaders to lead by example and avoid inflammatory language that could deepen political divisions.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com