Chairman of Friends of Bawumia (FoB 08), Lawyer Charles Owusu Juanah has condemned the arrest and ongoing prosecution of NPP Bono regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe , aka Abronye DC and recently, Mahama Aminat, popularly known as “Bawumia Ba,” describing it as criminalization of free speech and attack on our democracy.
According to him Ghana has come too far in democratic development to descend into an era where citizens are arrested, intimidated, and detained merely because they expressed political opinions or criticized public officials.
Lawyer Owusu Juanah made the statement at a news conference in Accra on Tuesday May 26, 2026.
“The ongoing prosecution and detention of Mr. Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, raises serious constitutional and democratic concerns that every freedom-loving Ghanaian must speak against. Reports indicate that he has been charged with offensive conduct and publication of false news over comments allegedly made concerning a judge. (Ghana News Agency)
The Chairman of FoB08 however condemned attacks or insults on the President emphasizing that civility, respect, and responsible speech remain essential pillars of national unity and democratic maturity.
Quoting Exodus 22:28 [Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people] and Ephesians 4:29 [“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers] Lawyer Juanah expressed worry over recent indecent comments in the name of free speech.
“Let me state emphatically from the onset that I do not support insults, abuse, or attacks on the personality of the President of the Republic or any public official.
Leadership deserves dignity. Public office deserves decorum. Political discourse must never degenerate into vulgarity, reckless abuse, or attacks on the humanity of individuals”, he stressed.
He added “Indeed, Article 41(f) of the 1992 Constitution places a civic responsibility on every Ghanaian:
“To protect and preserve public property and expose and combat misuse and waste of public funds and property”.
While condemning the insults and indecent political attacks, Lawyer Owusu Juanah also state emphasized that constitutional democracy cannot operate on selective standards adding that a democracy cannot criminalize today what it celebrated yesterday.
“A few years ago, under the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, many individuals who are today occupying powerful ministerial appointments, presidential positions, and influential government offices openly used highly offensive, abusive, and provocative language against the the President, Vice President, their spouses, families, and appointees.
“The Ghanaian public vividly remembers numerous occasions where political communicators, activists, and social media commentators aligned with the opposition National Democratic Congress made statements which many citizens considered insulting, defamatory, inflammatory, and disrespectful”, he described.
The Human Rights Lawyer is therefore appealing to President Mahama and the Security Agencies to stop the criminalization of dissenting voices.
Lawyer Juanah also called on the CSO, the media and the Ghana Bar Association to rise and defend the Constitution before fear replaces freedom.
“Ghana must never become a Republic where political disagreement becomes a criminal offence”, he maintained.
The Chairman of FoB 08 however condemned attacks and insults on the President emphasizing that civility, respect, and responsible speech remain essential pillars of national unity and democratic maturity.
“Let me state emphatically from the onset that I do not support insults, abuse, or attacks on the personality of the President of the Republic or any public official.
Leadership deserves dignity. Public office deserves decorum. Political discourse must never degenerate into vulgarity, reckless abuse, or attacks on the humanity of individuals”, he stressed.
He added “Indeed, Article 41(f) of the 1992 Constitution places a civic responsibility on every Ghanaian:
“To protect and preserve public property and expose and combat misuse and waste of public funds and property”.
While condemning the insults and indecent political attacks, Lawyer Owusu Juanah also emphasized that constitutional democracy cannot operate on selective standards adding that a democracy cannot criminalize today what it celebrated yesterday.
“A few years ago, under the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, many individuals who are today occupying powerful ministerial appointments, presidential positions, and influential government offices openly used highly offensive, abusive, and provocative language against the then President, Vice President, their spouses, families, and appointees.
“The Ghanaian public vividly remembers numerous occasions where political communicators, activists, and social media commentators aligned with the opposition National Democratic Congress made statements which many citizens considered insulting, defamatory, inflammatory, and disrespectful”, he described.
The Human Rights Lawyer is therefore appealing to President Mahama and the Security Agencies to stop the criminalization of dissenting voices.
Lawyer Juanah also called on the CSO, the media and the Ghana Bar Association to rise and defend the Constitution before fear replaces freedom.
“Ghana must never become a Republic where political disagreement becomes a criminal offence”, he maintained.
source:www.senaradioonline.com
