Former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has criticised the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, accusing it of showing intolerance by stifling dissenting voices.
His remarks follow the arrest and continued detention of the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye.
The outspoken politician was arrested on charges of offensive conduct deemed likely to cause a breach of the peace, a move which has attracted widespread public attention.
Speaking on the matter, Mr Dame argued that preventing citizens from freely expressing their opinions undermines democratic governance and sets a worrying precedent.
“Even in the most serious case I prosecuted, which was the treason trial, all the accused persons were granted bail on the very first day. This is a sharp contrast with the treatment Abronye is receiving,” he observed.
The former Attorney-General further highlighted instances where other high-profile figures, including former officials such as Collins Dauda, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and businessman Richard Jakpa, were granted self-recognisance bail.
“There ought to be tolerance for free speech, and the intolerance of this administration is very repulsive,” he added.