Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the government spokesperson, has broken his silence over the ongoing debate surrounding the arrest of individuals accused of publicly threatening the life of President John Dramani Mahama.
According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, one cannot say people are being arrested for free speech when they are making threats against the life of the President.
He boldly stated that a person who sits on TikTok and threatens the life of a president and his wife cannot go scot-free.
Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, August 4, Kwakye Ofosu stated, “But if you sit on TikTok and threaten the life of a president, saying you will behead the president, put him in a cocoa sack, and attack his wife, you cannot go scot-free. If you did that in any advanced democracy, they would hold you accountable. If you threaten somebody’s life, let alone that of a president, then they will catch up with you,” he said.
He also reacted to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s recent call for the prosecution of an NDC organiser; he accused Dr Bawumia of applying a double standard by criticising current actions while remaining silent on similar incidents under the previous government.
He argued that Dr Bawumia still has a pending court case involving journalist Bobie Ansah over allegations made against his wife and former First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo.
“When he was Vice President, Bobie Ansah accused his wife and the then First Lady, Madam Rebecca Akufo-Addo, of appropriating state land. The government of the day, in which he was Vice President, put him on trial. That trial is actually still ongoing. The matter is still before the court.
“What was his position at the time? Did he utter a word when he had power and was in a position to influence events? He didn’t. So nobody can take this latest announcement seriously. It is simply an attempt to take political advantage. This is politicking,” he added.
His comments follow Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Vice President and NPP Flagbearer, bluntly telling the John Mahama government that the answer to falsehood is not handcuffs, courtrooms or crushing bail conditions.
The former vice president made this known while calling on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue the prosecution of an NDC organiser, Prince Aboagye, from Agona West over alleged false publications and offensive comments made about him.
According to Dr Bawumia, he neither lodged a complaint nor authorised the prosecution, stressing that he does not support arresting or prosecuting Ghanaians in his name over speech.
Dr Bawumia highlighted that the answer to offensive speech is better speech, and the answer to falsehood is truth, not handcuffs, courtrooms, and crushing bail conditions imposed on ordinary Ghanaians.
In a statement signed by the Communications Directorate Office of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP Presidential Candidate, read, “DR. BAWUMIA CALLS FOR THE DISCONTINUATION OF PROSECUTIONS UNDERTAKEN IN HIS NAME.
The attention of the Office of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has been drawn to the arrest and arraignment of an organiser of the National Democratic Congress in Agona West, who is being prosecuted for allegedly publishing false news and making offensive comments about Dr Bawumia.
Dr Bawumia wishes to state, clearly and unequivocally, that he has neither lodged any complaint nor sanctioned any prosecution against this young man or any other citizen. He does not desire, and will not endorse, the arrest or prosecution of any Ghanaian in his name for speech.
Dr Bawumia has been the subject of insults and falsehoods throughout his public life. He has never responded with the instruments of state power, and he will not begin now. His conviction remains that the answer to offensive speech is better speech, and the answer to falsehood is truth, not handcuffs, courtrooms, and crushing bail conditions imposed on ordinary Ghanaians.
He therefore respectfully calls on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue this prosecution and any similar actions purportedly undertaken on his behalf, and to release the young man to return to his family and his livelihood.
Ghana’s democracy is strengthened when citizens, including those who oppose us, can speak freely without fear.
Dr Bawumia forgives the young man, wishes him well, and urges all political actors to channel their energies toward the issues that matter to the Ghanaian people”.
Watch the video below:
“You cannot say people are being arrested for free speech when they are making threats against the life of the President” — Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
— ChannelOne TV (@Channel1TVGHA) August 4, 2026
He also accuses Dr Bawumia of applying a double standard by criticising current actions while remaining silent on similar incidents… pic.twitter.com/2gVGe19zfi
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