By Ghana News 
Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has publicly criticized President John Dramani Mahama regarding the recent treatment of political critics.
Through a viral open letter titled “President Mahama I feel ashamed” and a subsequent television interview Azure condemned the growing trend of arresting opposition figures under false publication laws.
The Danger of Weaponizing State Institutions
Speaking on GHOne TV the respected journalist expressed deep frustration over the arrest of political commentators. He specifically highlighted the detention of opposition members for allegedly causing fear and panic. Azure boldly described these legal justifications as complete nonsense. Both major political parties frequently make reckless statements but targeting only government critics creates a dangerous democratic imbalance. Using state police to settle political scores essentially weaponizes state institutions against the general public.
Civil Defamation Versus Criminal Prosecution
Azure drew a sharp logical contrast using his own professional experience. Between 2015 and 2025 individuals sued him eleven times for defamation. Crucially his accusers filed civil court suits rather than using the police to arrest him. He explained that if the state treated his civil cases as criminal offenses he would have spent weeks on remand in a police cell. In reality most of his accusers abandoned their civil cases once he filed a solid legal defense. Using the police for defamation simply aims to intimidate citizens and show them where power truly lies.
Three Factual Insights on Press Freedom in Ghana
- Ghana officially repealed its Criminal Libel Law in 2001 which successfully moved defamation disputes away from criminal prosecutions and into civil court proceedings.
- Chapter Five of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana strictly guarantees fundamental human rights including the absolute freedom of speech and expression for every single citizen.
- Manasseh Azure Awuni is a globally recognized and award winning investigative journalist who consistently holds multiple political administrations accountable for public corruption.
A healthy democracy requires thick skin from its leaders. Criminalizing free speech only breeds resentment and damages the international reputation of the country. Citizens and journalists must remain free to hold their government accountable without the constant fear of sudden police detention.
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source- Starrfm.com.gh