Accra, Feb. 23, GNA - The Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday announced plans to present to Parliament, a Private Members Bill that seeks to repeal section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act.
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who made this known at the floor of the House in a statement, said the move was in reaction to the resurrection of an obnoxious piece of legislation to prosecute Nana Darkwah Baafi, an NPP activist.
He noted that the law has been comatose for 35 years. Nana Baafi was arrested and remanded in prison custody, last Friday for allegedly insinuating that the fire that gutted the Ridge official Residence of former President Jerry John Rawlings was caused by the ex-leader. The Minority Leader said Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act (Amended) seeks to criminalised free speech even after the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law by the NPP administration.
"It is most unfortunate and smacked of selective justice," he said. Mr Mensah-Bonsu said the NPP had sworn to protect and preserve the fundamental human rights and freedoms.of our nation as the Constitution in the preamble states."
"We are aware that the sovereignty of Ghana resides in the people of Ghana in whose name and for whose welfare the power of government are to be exercised in the manner and within the limits laid down in the Constitution," he said.
He said it was in pursuit of this commitment that the Minority boycotted proceedings last Friday, adding: "We recognise the ensuing developments after the boycott culminating in the grant of bail to the young man."
Mr Mensah-Bonsu observed that the bail granted to Nana Baafi was a positive development which was in tandem with the objectives of the NPP, adding "We are however not entirely satisfied".
"We still call on the Attorney-General who as per article 88(3) is 'responsible for the initiation and conduct of all prosecutions and criminal offences to file a nolle prosequi to stop this prosecution."
The Minority said it was their candid opinion that, that provision of legislation which criminalises free speech should be repealed. Mr Mensah-Bonsu urged the media to be responsible and decorous in the stories they carry and the language they employ and also cautioned contributors to radio programmes in particular to be circumspect in their utterances.
"It is most uncharitable for a sympathiser to accuse a bereaved family of witchery. That is not our tradition," adding: "Let the police not close any door given various sentiments which have been expressed in the aftermath of the fire in ex-President Rawlings house," he said. 23 Feb. 10
