Three Civil Society Organizations are demanding an immediate stop to what they say is the “apparent resurrection” of the long abolished criminal libel law in the country.
The groups, Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), IMANI Africa and the Africa Center for International Law & Accountability (ACILA) said their concerns follow the recent series of arrests and prosecution of individuals whose statements have been captured in sections of the media and are said to pose some security threats.
They made reference to the case of the Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson, who is currently facing criminal charges over the publication of false news about the family of President Akufo-Addo.
In a joint-statement, the organizations expressed concern about the manner in which some persons are being prosecuted, saying it has heightened fears over the possible return of the age-old criminal libel law in the country. They said they are deeply troubled by the growing use of the prosecutorial and judicial power of the State to punish persons deemed to be against the ruling government.
The CSOs, have therefore called for the use of the various legal channels rather than the wanton abuse of power against the rights of the ordinary Ghanaian. They said the law provides offending parties with the prospect of avoiding even civil liability by retracting the offending publication and rendering an appropriate apology to the injured or offended party. CDD-Ghana, IMANI Africa and ACILA have therefore asked the Attorney General to discontinue the criminal prosecution against Mensah Thompson.
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