Ghana debates online speech limits after court clash

Ghana is debating the limits of online speech after Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) officers attempted to arrest opposition MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court on September 23.

Baffour Awuah, a lawyer, was representing Salomey Awiti Baffoe, a senior nursing officer charged with abetting the publication of false news. Prosecutors allege Baffoe, 40, acted as a liaison for a person associated with a TikTok account known as “Ghana Jollof” and helped recruit people to redistribute videos online. She has pleaded not guilty. The High Court denied her bail on September 24, citing concerns about interference with electronic evidence.

EOCO said Baffour Awuah had twice been invited in February to assist with an investigation but failed to attend. Baffour Awuah disputes this, saying the initial letter was addressed to his law firm’s senior partner, not to him personally. He alleged the timing of the arrest attempt was linked to his representation of Baffoe. EOCO says its actions relate to an ongoing investigation.

President John Dramani Mahama said he was not aware of many arrests linked to comments made about him. “I also hear them on the media,” he said at an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

The Ghana Bar Association warned that attempts to circumvent legal safeguards could have a “chilling effect” on the legal profession.

The debate focuses on Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, which makes it an offence to publish false statements likely to cause fear or disturb public peace.

On September 28, Baffour Awuah announced civil action against Akwatia MP Bernard Bediako Baidoo and broadcaster Abubakar Alhassan, known as Blakk Rasta, over alleged defamatory statements.

SOURCE: MRA