Ghana Minister addresses press freedom and incitement laws

Ghanaian Minister of State for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu has addressed the distinction between political criticism and the incitement of violence. Speaking on the arrest and remand of nursing officer Salomey Awiti Baffoe, Ofosu stated that while the government tolerates insults directed at President John Dramani Mahama, it will not ignore statements capable of threatening public order.

Baffoe faces charges of abetment of crime related to the alleged dissemination of false news via the ‘Ghana Jollof’ TikTok account. Ofosu argued that assisting in the spread of incendiary content can constitute an offence, though he noted that Baffoe’s guilt remains to be determined by the court.

At a Federation of African Journalists meeting in Accra, Ofosu also emphasized that the government does not condone the harassment or intimidation of journalists, describing the media as a vital partner in national development. He called for a review of the National Media Commission to ensure it functions more effectively as an ombudsman in the modern media landscape, while cautioning that enforcing laws against speech that threatens public safety should not be viewed as an attempt to suppress freedom of expression.