Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon has defended the importance of free expression, arguing that governments should respond to criticism with evidence rather than arrests.
Speaking to Moro Awudu on Metro Tv’s Good Morning Ghana on May 18, he said the use of arrests against individuals for comments made in public debate risks undermining Ghana’s democratic progress.
He argued that criticism should be expected in a democratic system and should not trigger state action.
“If your performance is strong, you should not care what critics are saying,” he said. “If people say ‘Dumsor is back’, respond with facts, not arrests.”
He added that government communication should be stronger than punitive action.
“Put up counter evidence, counter facts,” he said. “Do not criminalise indiscretion or foolish talk.”
Zaato also warned that heavy handed responses could be counterproductive.
“Sometimes you embolden people when you arrest them,” he said. “They are not going to keep quiet because of fear.”
He further linked the issue to broader concerns about democratic resilience, urging institutions to learn from history.
“We should have learned lessons from past experiences of repression,” he said. “Power changes, and when it does, everyone can become vulnerable.”
He concluded by stressing that democracy must tolerate a wide range of speech, including unpopular or offensive views.
“The culture of silence is bad,” he said. “A noisy democracy is better than a silent one.”
Source: metrotvonline.com
