‘Answer to falsehood isn’t handcuffs’ - Bawumia demands release of NDC organiser

Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has distanced himself from the ongoing prosecution of Prince Aboagye, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Branch Organiser for Agona West Constituency, who was arrested over alleged offensive remarks against him (the former vice president).

A statement issued by the office of the former vice president indicated that he had no interest in the arrest and ongoing prosecution of the NDC activist.

It added that Dr Bawumia, who is the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is against the prosecution of people for remarks they make and thus would not allow the same to be done in his name.

“Dr Bawumia wishes to state, clearly and unequivocally, that he has neither lodged any complaint nor sanctioned any prosecution against this young man or any other citizen. He does not desire, and will not endorse, the arrest or prosecution of any Ghanaian in his name for speech.

“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. 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,” part of the statement read.

The NPP flagbearer went on to demand that the NDC organiser be released and his ongoing prosecution discontinued.

“He therefore respectfully calls on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue this prosecution and any similar actions purportedly undertaken on his behalf, and to release the young man to return to his family and his livelihood.”

It added, “Ghana's democracy is strengthened when citizens, including those who oppose us, can speak freely without fear. Dr Bawumia forgives the young man, wishes him well, and urges all political actors to channel their energies towards the issues that matter to the Ghanaian people.”

NDC branch organiser granted GH¢200,000 bail over alleged offensive remarks against Bawumia

Meanwhile, an Accra Circuit Court has granted bail to Prince Aboagye after he was arraigned over alleged offensive remarks made against former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

The court, on Monday, July 20, 2026, admitted Aboagye to bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 with three sureties, one of whom must justify the bond with landed property. However, according to the police report, the accused remains in police custody after failing to satisfy the bail conditions.

According to the Ghana Police Service, its attention was drawn on July 18, 2026, to a video circulating on TikTok in which Aboagye was allegedly seen and heard making offensive and insulting remarks against Dr Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) flagbearer for the 2028 general elections.

Following the circulation of the video, officers from the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested the suspect on July 19, 2026, in connection with the matter.

Police said that during his caution statement, Aboagye admitted to making the statements contained in the viral video.

He was subsequently charged and arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court.

In the widely circulated video, Aboagye allegedly accused Dr Bawumia of serious criminal and personal misconduct, including murder, theft and engaging in extramarital affairs with married women.

See the statement below:

BAI

Amanda Clinton explains what happened in the Menzgold-NAM1 scandal