The Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP) has called for consistency in the application of laws governing political speech following the conviction of content creator Camilla Alhassan over defamatory comments about President John Dramani Mahama.
In a press statement on Monday signed by the Executive Director, Prof. Isaac Boadi, the Institute said it respected the independence of the judiciary but believed the case had raised important questions about free speech, fairness, and equal application of the law.
The Institute noted that political leaders from both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have, over the years, been subjected to harsh personal attacks, insults, and unverified allegations without criminal prosecution.
According to the Institute, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and President Mahama have all faced intense political criticism and defamatory claims during different periods of Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
It argued that if false publications are to attract criminal punishment, the law must be applied equally to everyone, regardless of political affiliation.
The Institute also urged policymakers to consider making civil defamation suits the preferred way of resolving disputes involving damage to reputation instead of imposing prison sentences.
It further called on the judiciary, legal reform advocates, civil society organisations, and political parties to review laws on the publication of false news to ensure they do not restrict freedom of expression.
The Institute appealed to political communicators from both the NPP and NDC to avoid personal attacks, false claims, and abusive language, saying respectful political debate would strengthen Ghana’s democracy.
Executive Director of the Institute, Prof. Isaac Boadi, said Ghana’s democratic progress depends on the fair and consistent application of the law while protecting citizens’ constitutional right to free expression.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Nana Yaw Fianko