Attorney General: “You can’t impose restraints on free expression” Minority responds

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, was warned by the minority group in Parliament not to comment on pending high-profile cases, and they have aggressively reacted to him.

The Attorney General claimed that such opinion goes beyond what is allowed in terms of free speech, interferes with the work of State Prosecutors, and places unnecessarily high demands on the judiciary.

The Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza, stated in a statement dated July 5 that he believed the Attorney General lacked the jurisdiction to restrict individuals’ freedom of speech.

The member of parliament for Adaklu emphasised that Ghanaians have the freedom to share their thoughts on affairs of state and that the Attorney-General cannot silence them.

“The Attorney General does not have the sweeping authority to impose restrictions on free speech that he would have himself arrogate. He needs to know that justice in Ghana comes from its citizens and is carried out for and on their behalf. Thus, even if it may offend him, the Ghanaian people’s right to express themselves cannot be restricted, according to Governs Agbodza.

Godfred Dame’s admonition won’t deter the Minority from holding the administration responsible, according to the Chief Whip of the Minority.

“We want to make it clear, nonetheless, that we will not be intimidated by the Attorney General’s intentional harassment and persecution, which are loaded with extreme political fanaticism in order to appease this failed government.

He said, “This Attorney-General can do his worst and keep on persecuting, but that will not weaken the resolve of the Minority to keep on holding the feet of the government to the fire of accountability.”

The Attorney General has been requested by a few chiefs and queen mothers, including the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, to drop the case against James Gyakye Quayson, the MP for Assin North.