FREEDOM OF SPEECH DOES NOT CALL FOR HATE SPEECH – PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA CAUTIONS

FREEDOM OF SPEECH DOES NOT CALL FOR HATE SPEECH – PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA CAUTIONS

The President of the Republic of Ghana – His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has cautioned Ghanaians on hate speech and its incitement of hatred within the public, using social media platforms. He said this on 10^th September, 2025, during his engagement with the media on rating his performance so far within the eight (8) months.

Freedom of speech literally, is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without the fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction. Though the principle or right was first established in the first Amendment of the United States constitution on 15^th December,1791 as part of their Bill of Rights to provide constitutional protection for certain individual liberties like - Greek philosopher Socrates, who was persecuted for an early argument on expressing himself; Ghana, then also adopted this principle as part of the 1992 constitution during the Fourth Republic in Article 19, to also support an enabling environment, where the media can operate without fear nor panic. That is to say, this principle was adopted so that media shall have freedom to express or critic a government when necessary. Whereby, it was said that, their views or opinions should also be in line of promoting and enhancing creativity, innovation, cultural diversity of Ghana, and not to also cause chaos or violence in the public space. In other words, the motive behind the establishment and adoption of this principle was basically to help individuals participate in day-to-day activities of a country through expression of views and opinions on issues of national interest.

Currently, this principle is brutally been abused by individuals in Ghana who are not even in the media space (Journalism). Those who are in the media space like bloggers and vloggers are similarly also abusing this principle and it is clearly evident in their social platforms. Today in Ghana, anyone just picks up their cell phone, log into their social media accounts; be it Tiktok, Instagram, Twitter(X), Facebook, Snapchats and start to do live videos to comment or verbally abuse one another on issues or rumors which are not even of national interests. These actions by some individuals in Ghana are only breeding violence and hate in comment sections and sometimes, victims are even assaulted physically, others being mistreated, insulted or disrespected, due to these actions.

Moreover, they do these, base on rumors spread about the other person and not necessarily because they have tangible evidences to support their claims or allegations of these things (rumors). Over the past years, these attitudes had continually created divisions among friends, love ones and even family members; where, their image were seen to be tarnished and reputations ruined. Examples include – the likes of Nana Ama McBrown’s marital issues, Afia Schwarnegger’s infidelity brouhaha, Bishop Obinim and Honorable Kennedy Agyapong’s uproars, Tracey Boakye and Mzbel’s clashes, Tracey Boakye and Honorable Kennedy Agyapong’s frictions, and whole lots of commotions that have intrigued the peace and stability of this country and still ongoing.

At the moment, some bloggers are now using their social media platforms, particularly X (formerly as twitter) and Tiktok to create inter-tribal rivalry on the welcome message designated at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). Some are arguing on the fact that, Greater Accra is a Ga Land and for the Ga people, so why should the welcome message (AKWAABA), be written in Akan instead of Ga (OOBAKE). These actions by some bloggers are not even of national interests, but gradually leading to ethnic conflicts, chaos and tensions among the public.

The startling thing about this issue is that, it is not even the place of a blogger to demand a change of a welcome message designated at the airfield. Instead, it is a government responsibility to determine that. Which is why, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama had called for discipline in the use of this principle (Freedom of Speech), among citizens, and for them to also stop abusing it haphazardly. According to him, individuals who will be found henceforward, with abusing this principle and using hate speech will be sanctioned under criminal law. He termed such abuse as “criminal” and can be dealt with under the National Signals Bureau, where culprits found, will severely be punished.

In closing, he encourage all to responsibly and properly use the Freedom of Speech principle wisely, by fairly approaching their opinions and views on issues in a humble, polite and respectful way without inciting hatred and negative comments against one another. Since, such decorum will seek to ensure active participation of all in government systems and policies and will instill core values in the public domain as far as Democracy is concerned.