“Step Aside and Let the Law Take Its Course” – NewsAfricaGhana Responds to Bawumia’s Call to Halt Prosecution

The Chief Executive Officer of NewsAfricaGhana, Solomon Kobina Acquah, has welcomed former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s decision to distance himself from the prosecution of an opposition supporter over alleged offensive comments made against him.

In a statement issued by the Communications Directorate of Dr. Bawumia’s office, made it clear that he neither filed a complaint nor authorised the arrest and prosecution of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) organiser from Agona West.

The statement read in part:

“The attention of the Office of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been drawn to the arrest and arraignment of an organiser of the National Democratic Congress in Agona West, who is being prosecuted for allegedly publishing false news and making offensive comments about Dr. Bawumia.”

It further stressed that Dr. Bawumia has never sought to use state institutions to silence his critics.

“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.”

According to the statement, despite being subjected to insults and misinformation throughout his political career, Dr. Bawumia has consistently believed that the appropriate response to criticism is dialogue and truth rather than criminal prosecution.

“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.”

Dr. Bawumia therefore appealed to the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue the prosecution and any similar cases allegedly initiated on his behalf, while calling for the immediate release of the accused.

He also reiterated his commitment to democratic values, stating that Ghana’s democracy is stronger when citizens are free to express their views without fear of intimidation, regardless of their political affiliation.

Reacting to the development, Solomon Kobina Acquah commended Dr. Bawumia for publicly disassociating himself from the prosecution. However, he maintained that once a matter has entered the judicial process, no individual should interfere with its outcome.

According to him, if the alleged offence falls within Ghana’s criminal laws, the justice system should be allowed to determine the case independently without political influence or pressure from any quarter.

He therefore urged all political leaders to respect the independence of the judiciary and allow the law to take its course, emphasizing that justice must be administered fairly and without regard to political considerations.