Investigative Journalist, Manasseh Azure has criticized President John Dramani Mahama over what he describes as increasing attacks on free speech and the abuse of laws on false publication under the current administration.
In an open letter titled “President Mahama, I feel ashamed” on his socials, he expressed disappointment in what he says is a raw standard of arrest and detentions targeting critics of the government, particularly members of the opposition New Patriotic Party.
Speaking GHOne TV today, the journalist stated it is unfair that state institutions have been weaponized.
“Is that a criminal offense? Has the judge found reason or the judiciary found reason to cite Abroñye for contempt? Why is it the police who are arresting him? This issue that what Abroñye has said has caused fear and panic in the country, excuse me to say, is nonsense. Until he was even arrested, not many people—I didn’t hear him say these things. Both the NDC and NPP members make reckless political statements. We are not supporting that, but to say let’s use the law to target only one side—that is the NPP or those who are critical of the government—I think it is unacceptable,” he said.
He further alluded to a series of defamation cases which were brought against him during the erstwhile Akufo-Addo administration claiming that his accusers never reported him to the police but only filed civil suits at the courts.
“I have said that in the past 10 years or so, between 2015 and 2025, I was sued 11 times for defamation. These were things I published or said, and I’m fine. If you sue me for defamation, I’ll go to court and defend myself,” he said.
He therefore cautioned against the use of the police to pursue defamation cases which according to him is not a good a practice.
“Don’t use the police to harass me. All those who sued me claimed that what I said was not true. If the police had been used, I would have been remanded 11 times. But guess what? About 80% to 90% of the cases, the people who took me to court ran away from their own cases immediately I filed my defense. So, if these were treated as criminal cases, I’d go to the police station, they will remand me, I’ll spend weeks there, and at the end of the day, the same people would run away because there is no merit to prosecute a case. So, they are using the police and the courts just to try to show people where power lies,” he urged.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
