Lawyer Martin Kpebu says the Mahama administration has recorded more arrests over free speech matters in its first 18 months than the Nana Akufo-Addo government did during its eight years in office.

Speaking on TV3’s The Key Points on Saturday, August 8, Mr Kpebu described the development as a bad record for President John Mahama and urged the government to pay attention.

“For one and a half years, this current government has arrested more people on matters of free speech than Akufo-Addo's eight years. It is a bad record for John Mahama; they should be careful. Mahama should pay attention,” he said.

He warned that continued arrests could gradually erode public goodwill towards the government.

“These things start small; before he realises, all the goodwill is gone. Let the people talk.”

Mr Kpebu cited instances of harsh political comments made against former President Nana Akufo-Addo during his tenure that did not result in arrests.

He recalled that President Mahama had referred to Akufo-Addo and others as “Akyem sakawa mafia” without being arrested.

“We said Akufo-Addo was stone-deaf; ‘mampam’ [monitor lizard], did he arrest me? Nana Yaa Jantuah called Akufo-Addo Nebuchadnezzar; she popularised it. Allow Ghanaians to talk,” he said.

He also cited the late former President Jerry John Rawlings’ description of former President J.A. Kufuor as a thief while Mr Kufuor was in office.

“Late President Jerry John Rawlings called former President J.A. Kufuor, while in office, a thief. He didn't arrest J.J. You can't shut people down by arrests. I think the government should sit up.”

Mr Kpebu said offensive political commentary should be considered part of democratic accountability.

“As for the insult, there is nothing you can do; it's part of accountability,” he stressed.

Alternatives to arrest

Mr Kpebu called for a broader discussion on alternatives to arrest when dealing with offensive public commentary.

He suggested measures such as fines or public naming and shaming where appropriate, arguing that arresting everyone who makes insulting remarks would not be practical or desirable in a democracy.