'Repression will not silence Ghanaians' - Richard Ahiagbah tells Mahama over TikToker's conviction
NPP official Richard Ahiagbah has criticized the imprisonment of a TikToker for offensive comments about President John Dramani Mahama. He argued that the government's use of legal repression to silence dissent is counterproductive and undemocratic.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding freedom of speech and the use of state power to address online criticism in Ghana.
The National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has criticised the conviction and imprisonment of TikToker Camila Alhassan.
His comments follow the sentencing of the 43-year-old to one year imprisonment with hard labour by an Accra Circuit Court for offensive conduct following statements she made about President John Dramani Mahama.
The Ghana Police Service has also announced plans to arraign her before an High Court on a separate charge of false communication.
Reacting to this in a social media post on Friday, July 17, the NPP spokesperson described the development as a repressive action that would only fuel public dissent.
Ahiagbah argued that attempts to suppress criticism through arrests and prosecutions would not succeed in a democratic society where citizens have the constitutional right to express their views.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in