Kwakye Ofosu: Ghana Free Speech Does Not Cover Criminal Threats

• Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu stated that freedom of expression does not protect criminal threats against public officials or their families.
• He emphasized the critical distinction between merely offensive speech and actions constituting criminal threats, citing an example of threatening to poison the President.
• The Minister also condemned attacks on journalists, stressing the importance of their safety while performing their duties.
• Concerns were raised about social media's role in spreading content that can worsen community tensions and conflicts.
• Ghana must safeguard its democratic space for free expression without allowing criminal acts to be justified under its principles.

Ghana must protect the democratic space for free expression while ensuring that criminal conduct is not allowed to hide behind the principle of free speech.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Ghana's Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, recently articulated the government's stance on the boundaries of free speech, asserting that it does not extend to criminal threats against public officials or their families. Speaking at the launch of the 30th Ghana Journalists Association Media Awards on October 7, 2026, the Minister underscored the importance of differentiating between legitimate criticism of political leaders and outright threats of harm.

Mr. Kwakye Ofosu emphasized that while citizens possess an undeniable right to critique their political leadership, any statements that threaten to inflict harm upon officials or their relatives fall outside the protections afforded by freedom of expression. He provided a stark example, noting that even if an individual harbors strong dislike for a President, threatening to poison the President, his children, and his wife would not be tolerated under any circumstances. This clarification aims to delineate the line between permissible, albeit offensive, speech and actions that cross into criminal territory.

The Minister further elaborated on the necessity of establishing a clear distinction between free speech and what he termed 'criminal minds.' He pointed out that not every individual who expresses an unpopular or unpleasant viewpoint should automatically be classified as criminal. The core message was that while some expressions might be disagreeable, they do not inherently constitute a crime, thereby highlighting the critical need to discern between legitimate, albeit potentially offensive, expression and actual criminal threats.

This interpretation by Felix Kwakye Ofosu underscores the government's position on Ghana freedom of expression limits, particularly concerning criminal threats public officials Ghana. He stressed that Ghana must vigilantly protect its democratic space, which inherently includes the right to free expression, but simultaneously ensure that criminal conduct is not permitted to masquerade under the guise of this fundamental principle. The government's view is that the right to speak freely does not grant immunity for actions or statements that pose a direct criminal threat.

Beyond the immediate discussion of criminal threats, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu also addressed broader issues impacting the media landscape and public discourse. He unequivocally condemned any form of mistreatment or attacks on journalists, stressing that media practitioners must be allowed to carry out their professional duties without fear for their safety. He insisted that the lives of journalists should not be endangered while they perform their essential work.

Additionally, the Minister voiced significant concerns regarding the proliferation of content on social media platforms that has the potential to exacerbate tensions within communities and in conflict situations. He observed that social media has been utilized to foment trouble, with content posted online capable of deepening existing conflicts and making peaceful coexistence more challenging. This highlights a dual challenge for Ghana: upholding freedom of expression while mitigating the risks associated with its misuse, especially in sensitive contexts.

Legal practitioners advising clients on free speech rights or defending against charges of criminal threats in Ghana should be aware of the government's explicit position that freedom of expression does not extend to criminal threats against public officials, particularly in the context of social media use. This clarifies the potential legal exposure for such conduct.

Source: Original reporting via Evelyn Ampah