Newly elected New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Youth Organiser, Abanga Fuseini Yakubu, has accused the John Mahama-led government of creating an environment in which citizens are afraid to openly criticise those in power.
According to Mr Abanga, government critics, particularly those who express their views on social media, risk attracting the attention of state security agencies.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express programme on Tuesday, October 6, he claimed that citizens are being pursued over comments they make online.
“This government, whatever you do, they will come after you. Even on social media, there are certain words if you dare use them, tomorrow EOCO will come and pick you up,” he said.
Mr Abanga further alleged that freedom of expression has been increasingly restricted under the current administration, making it difficult for citizens to criticise the government without fear.
“Free speech is now criminalised to the point that one cannot even criticise the government,” he stated.
He added that the situation has created concerns about the extent to which citizens can freely express their opinions, particularly on social media platforms.
Also, Abanga Fuseini Yakubu has said that when the party return to power, they will introduce a $500 million bail bond for alleged offenders associated with the NDC.
According to Abanga, the Mahama administration is using state institutions to intimidate young people and critics.
He stressed that individuals are being arrested just over comments made on social media.
He further contrasted the situation with the Akufo-Addo administration, claiming that critics were able to attack and insult the former President without being arrested.
Abanga stated, “This government, whatever you say, they will come after you. Even on social media, there are certain words if you dare use them; tomorrow EOCO will come and pick you up; free speech is now criminalised to the point that one cannot even criticise the government”.
“During President Akufo-Addo’s regime, people could insult him and attack him, but nobody arrested anybody; but today you cough, and they are arresting you,” he stated.
“Whatever they are doing, when we come to power, the bail bond will be $500, and I am promising you as the National Youth Organiser of the NPP, so they should be careful with whatever they are doing,” he said.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has broken his silence over the growing number of arrests involving social media commentators, particularly TikTokers.
According to Mahama, he is not aware of many of the arrests until they are brought to his attention through media reports.
Mahama, however, stressed the need for a broader national conversation on how TikTok and other emerging media platforms should be regulated.
The President disclosed that the government could simply direct the police not to arrest people over statements they make; such a move could raise questions about whether it reflects the position Ghanaians want to adopt.
He therefore called for a wider discussion on the appropriate balance between freedom of expression and the regulation of content on new media platforms.
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