We have paid too high a price to allow freedom of speech diminish — Osahen Afenyo-Markin
The Minority Leader in Parliament and MP for Effutu, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has condemned what he described as the increasing infringement on freedom of speech in the country.
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has recently criticised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration over the arrest of some of its members for social media publications.
The party has petitioned the diplomatic community, the United Nations and other relevant bodies to address what they deem as the undemocratic actions by the government.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, June 9, Osahen Afenyo-Markin said Ghana had come too far democratically to allow fundamental freedoms to be eroded.
He argued that recent arrests of opposition members had generated anxiety among sections of the public and raised concerns about the protection of civil liberties.
"The right to free expression enshrined in Article 21(1)(a) of our Constitution is a birthright. It is the oxygen of democracy, and when that oxygen is restricted, the body politic begins quietly and dangerously to suffocate," he said.
The Minority Leader stressed that free speech is most meaningful when citizens are able to criticise, dissent and demand accountability from those in power without fear.
While acknowledging that the law must be applied and that the courts have a role to play, he cautioned against actions that could create the perception that legal processes are being used to suppress dissenting views.
The lawmaker further cautioned that the erosion of free speech often begins gradually and can have long-term consequences for democratic governance.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin urged lawmakers on both sides of the House to defend constitutional freedoms and apply the same standards regardless of which political party is in power.
"Our demands as minority, Mister Speaker, we contend that Ghana has come too far. We have paid too high a price for the freedoms we enjoy to allow them to be quietly diminished in moments of political convenience," he stated.