Akufo-Addo government was tolerant of free speech - Justin Frimpong Kodua

General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has defended the free speech record of the erstwhile administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, arguing that it demonstrated notable tolerance for criticism and dissent.

Speaking during a one-on-one interview on Metro TV on April 20, 2026, Kodua stressed the need for governments to distinguish between legitimate expressions of opinion and statements that could threaten national security or incite public panic.

“We need to differentiate between matters which destabilise the country, those that can cause fear and panic, and those that are simply expressions of people’s beliefs,” he said.

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Kodua noted that robust criticism, satire, and even caricatures of political leaders are common features of democratic systems globally, and Ghana should be no exception. According to him, such expressions should not be misconstrued as threats.

To illustrate his point, he cited an instance where a social media user allegedly portrayed former President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam against an LGBTQ-themed background.

Despite the potentially controversial nature of the post, Kodua said the NPP government chose not to take action.

“The Akufo-Addo government never went after him because we understood that it is part of democracy. If you are committed to serious governance, you don’t waste time on trivialities,” he stated.

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He argued that criticism over issues such as the government’s failure to pass anti-LGBTQ+ legislation falls within the bounds of free expression and should be tolerated.

“How does calling out a government for not fulfilling a promise create fear and panic?” he questioned.

Kodua, however, drew a clear line between criticism and what he described as dangerous allegations, such as claims that could suggest attempts to undermine the constitution or incite violence.

He warned that failure to respect free expression could push Ghana toward a “culture of silence,” referencing the country’s past under criminal libel laws.

“Why did we repeal the criminal libel law if we are not going to tolerate criticism?” he asked.

Kodua urged authorities to focus on addressing statements with genuine security implications, rather than targeting individuals expressing dissenting views.

“We must be able to tolerate criticism,” he said, maintaining that protecting free speech remains essential to Ghana’s democratic development.

VPO

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