Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has called on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney General to discontinue the prosecution of any persons accused of making offensive statements against him.
According to reports, an organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Agona West has been arrested and is under prosecution for allegedly publishing false news and making offensive comments about the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer.
But a statement from his office explained that Dr Bawumia has been the subject of insults and falsehoods throughout his public life.
“He has never responded with the instruments of state power, and he will not begin now,” a press release from his office on Wednesday, July 22 said.
“His conviction remains that the answer to offensive speech is better speech, and the answer to falsehood is truth, not handcuffs, courtrooms, and crushing bail conditions imposed on ordinary Ghanaians.”
He is, therefore, calling for the release of the man to return to his family and his livelihood.
“Ghana’s democracy is strengthened when citizens, including those who oppose us, can speak freely without fear.”
He forgave the man and wished him well, urging all political actors to channel their energies toward issues that matter to Ghanaians.