The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has staged a protest to denounce what it describes as state-sponsored harassment and a growing culture of silence in the country.
The protest by the NPP is currently ongoing on Tuesday, September 23 at Obra Spot in Accra.
Addressing reporters, former Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye said the government’s actions are undermining one of the most important pillars of democracy.
“We are here because the most fundamental feature of a democracy is being attacked and threatened. That fundamental feature is freedom of speech,” he stated.
Dr. Okoe-Boye stressed that freedom of expression must be protected for all citizens, regardless of how they are able to express themselves.
“When you are in a democracy you must be ready to tolerate all kinds of behavior, especially when it comes to speech,” he said.
He added that while some people may be able to articulate their views properly due to education and training, others may not have the same ability.
“There is a way I will put a point across which might look to you very proper. You have others who want to make a point but might not have the training and intellect to do so,” he explained.
Adding, “They will speak in a crude manner, sometimes in an insulting manner. But the beauty of democracy is that all such people are tolerated.”
Dr. Okoe-Boye warned that arresting citizens for what they say or post on social media threatens everyone’s rights.
“Immediately somebody can be arrested and put in handcuffs for talking in a way that in another person’s judgement is not proper, it means all of us are in danger,” he said.
He likened the growing trend to a dangerous ‘culture of silence’ and warned that it could hinder progress.
“All democracies or societies that were successful in the past, what made them lose their success was this culture of silence,” he noted.
“Because people are being arrested for what they post on TikTok or how they speak, it will get to a time before they speak, they will think twice.”
While cautioning against reckless speech, he insisted that fear of arrest should not determine how citizens express themselves.
“That’s not to say you should speak ‘foolishly’, excuse my language, but if there is some fear in what you say because you will be arrested, it will get to a time people will not speak at all,” he explained, “When people stop speaking, society is no more dynamic and we will lose our innovativeness and drive.”
