The Member of Parliament for Afigya Kwabre North, Collins Adomako-Mensah, has criticised what he describes as a rise in unwarranted arrests of citizens who speak out on national issues, including Ghana’s erratic power supply known as dumsor.
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, the former Deputy Energy Minister said it was wrong for individuals to be detained for expressing concerns about governance and public services, arguing that such actions amounted to political persecution.
He said some recent arrests of citizens who commented on the power crisis were unjustified and had raised concerns within the opposition.
He cited the cases of David Essandoh and Sir Obama, which he said had already prompted a petition to the diplomatic corps by opposition figures.
“It is political persecution to arrest anyone who raises concerns about dumsor. It is appalling, and it is not wrong for the NPP to point that out,” he said.
Mr Adomako Mensah also questioned what he described as inconsistencies in how political expression is treated, referencing public commentary and imagery involving political figures.
“How do we justify a post placed by a Muslim Vice President being acceptable, while a poster about dumsor close to Mahama’s picture becomes an offence?” he asked, referring to Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John Mahama.
His comments have triggered further debate about the limits of free expression and the role of law enforcement in political discourse.
However, veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr pushed back against the MP’s position, arguing that citizens must prioritise constitutional principles rather than compare political cases.
He said respect for the law should remain central to how freedom of expression is exercised in Ghana.
“Let’s uphold the principles of the country as the only way of enjoying our rights of freedom of expression,” Mr Pratt said.
Source: metrotvonline.com
