The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has stated that, if given the opportunity to lead the country, he will not direct intelligence agencies to pursue citizens for insulting the President or other public officials.

In a Facebook post on Friday, September 18, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia bemoaned the repeated arrest of citizens for criticising the government. Dr Bawumia’s remarks were in reaction to the arrest and two-week remand of Techiman-based senior nursing officer Salomey Awiti Bafoh.

“The story of how a Techiman-based nurse and mother of 3 (including a 4-year-old), Salomey Bafoh Awiti, was picked up in the middle of the night by national intelligence officers and has been remanded for two weeks on suspicion that she is abetting the publication of false news is very worrying to read,” he wrote.

Salomey Awiti has been charged with abetment of crime over her alleged publication and circulation of false news on social media. On September 13, Ms Bafoh, 40, was arrested at her home in Hansua in the Techiman Municipality of the Bono East Region.

Ms Bafoh pleaded not guilty to the charge of abetment of crime in connection with the alleged publication of false news, contrary to sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The court declined to grant her bail and remanded her in custody for two weeks. Meanwhile the case was adjourned to September 30.

The prosecution alleges that Ms Bafoh worked as an intermediary for Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, known as ‘Ghana Jollof,’ and supported the circulation of her videos by engaging other individuals to share and redistribute the material.

The prosecution alleges that Ms Bafoh facilitated the circulation of videos produced by Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as ‘Ghana Jollof’, by serving as an intermediary and enlisting others to share the content. Meanwhile, the court is yet to establish these allegations. Dr Bawumia has, in recent times, spoken out on issues concerning freedom of speech.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has noted that Ghana’s democracy can only be strengthened when citizens are free to express themselves without fear of arrest or prosecution for their speech.

In an official statement, Dr Bawumia noted that those who oppose and speak freely against politicians should not face arrest or prosecution for expressing their views, as they all contribute to strengthening Ghana's democracy through open and free public discourse.

“Ghana's democracy is strengthened when citizens, including those who oppose us, can speak freely without fear”.

His comment follows a plea urging the government to release a National Democratic Congress (NDC) organiser in Agona West who is facing charges over alleged offensive comments made about him.

According to Dr Bawumia, he neither lodged complaints nor sanctioned the prosecution of individuals who spoke against him during his tenure as Vice President or while the NPP was in government, believing such actions would be imprudent and contrary to democratic principles.

The statement said, “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.

“He therefore respectfully calls on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue this prosecution and any similar actions purportedly undertaken on his behalf, and to release the young man to return to his family and his livelihood”.

Meanwhile, Dr Bawumia has added to the many individuals cautioning President John Dramani Mahama against assenting to the recently passed Tribunals Bill, 2026 passed by Parliament.

The Tribunals Bill, 2026, was passed by Parliament on Thursday July 16, following the completion of its third reading and subsequent approval by members of the House.President John Dramani Mahama is expected to give his assent in the coming days before it becomes law.The Tribunals Bill therefore seeks to address the lacuna in the legal framework of Ghana regarding tribunals.