Constitutional Lawyer Kwame Adofo has urged the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to directly engage with the actors involved in Ghana's ongoing debate over freedom of speech, police arrests, and media regulation. Speaking on Ahotor FM's morning show in Accra-Tema on Monday, September 28, 2026, Lawyer Adofo emphasized that the MFWA's efforts to facilitate discussions and make recommendations would be limited if the key actors at the centre of the dispute were not part of the engagement.
According to Lawyer Adofo, discussions aimed at resolving the matter must involve the parties directly affected, rather than relying solely on meetings with other stakeholders. He stressed that the MFWA should first identify the relevant actors and bring them together for a structured dialogue. This approach, he argued, would be more effective than simply holding meetings, making recommendations, and expecting the situation to change.
Lawyer Adofo drew a parallel between Ghana's situation and international conflicts, explaining that a third party seeking to facilitate peace between two sides would normally need to bring the parties involved to the negotiating table. He questioned how a similar approach could succeed in Ghana's ongoing discussions about media freedom and freedom of expression if the actors directly involved were excluded.
The Constitutional Lawyer emphasized that both the police and media actors involved in the dispute should participate in the discussions because they are central to the issues under consideration and would ultimately have to play a role in implementing any agreed solution. This, he believes, would ensure that all parties are on the same page and working towards a common goal.
Lawyer Adofo also cautioned against allowing the police to become the final authority on what citizens can or cannot say. He stressed that determining whether particular statements amount to criminal offences should be subjected to the appropriate legal and judicial processes. This, he argued, would prevent the risk of criminalising speech and protect citizens' constitutional right to freedom of expression.
According to Article 21 of the 1992 Constitution, freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed, and Lawyer Adofo stressed the need to protect this right while also addressing abuses through lawful means. He urged the MFWA and other relevant organisations to move beyond general stakeholder meetings and recommendations and directly engage the actors involved in the dispute.
Lawyer Adofo maintained that bringing the relevant actors together for dialogue would be necessary if efforts to address the concerns surrounding freedom of speech, police action, and media regulation are to produce a meaningful outcome. He urged the MFWA to take a proactive approach in engaging the key actors and finding a lasting solution to the dispute.
Key points
- Lawyer Kwame Adofo calls for direct engagement with key actors in Ghana's free speech dispute.
