Former NDC parliamentary aspirant for Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro, Alexander Ackuoko, has rejected claims that freedom of speech is under threat in Ghana, insisting that democracy does not excuse indiscipline and inflammatory political comments.
Speaking on recent controversial statements by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin on the Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Ackuoko insisted that suggestions that free speech is being suppressed are “a big no.”
“Why should people hide behind democracy and malign others and think they must not be held accountable?” he questioned.
Ackuoko expressed disappointment in the Minority Leader, accusing him of supporting what he described as “unscrupulous actions” instead of calling party members to order.
“I am very disappointed in Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin as a Minority Leader to support such unscrupulous action instead of calling his people to order,” he stated.
According to him, Afenyo-Markin may have realized his comments crossed the line, hence reports that he was expecting a possible contempt of court summons.
Ackuoko further appealed to the lawmaker to apologize, arguing that his remarks were inappropriate considering his political standing.
“I would plead with him to apologize for his statement because what he said was very bad considering his position in our political landscape,” he added.
The former NDC aspirant also criticized comments allegedly made by Salam Mustapha, describing them as dangerous and reckless.
He warned that statements calling for the mobilization of supporters to make the country “extremely ungovernable” could threaten national stability if left unchecked.
“It is extremely dangerous for a national party executive to say ‘I am going to weaponize my people to make the country extremely ungovernable,’” he stressed.
Ackuoko maintained that such comments could amount to treasonable conduct and cautioned political actors against framing lawful accountability as persecution.
“When people misbehave, and they are being called to order, don’t support them because it will not help all of us,” he said.
He concluded that while individuals have every right to petition institutions, claims that free speech is being suppressed in Ghana are unfounded.
