Minority Chief Whip Annoh-Dompreh Warns Against Partisan Arrests Amid Tensions Over Political Social Media Commentary

Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has issued a stern caution to the government and state institutions against the partisan use of the criminal justice system to target political opponents and citizens for social media comments. Speaking at the 2026 Mampong Ohum/Odwira celebration, the NPP Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri emphasized that political power is temporary and urged leaders to exercise restraint and respect for due process. His remarks come amidst growing concerns over a perceived trend of using state machinery to stifle dissent, with Annoh-Dompreh calling on religious and traditional leaders to promote responsible political communication while defending the rights of citizens to critique public officials.

The debate over free speech has been intensified by the high-profile case of Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, a TikTok personality known as 'Ghana Jollof.' Currently based in the UK, Kodua was declared wanted by the Ghana Police Service for allegedly inciting violence. She has publicly challenged the Ghanaian government to attempt extradition, labeling the pursuit as political persecution and asserting she would only return to Ghana voluntarily. The saga also involves the arrest of Senior Nursing Officer Salomey Awiti Baffoe, who was detained for allegedly circulating videos linked to Kodua's account. Critics, including Kodua, have labeled Baffoe’s arrest as politically motivated, citing her husband’s political affiliations as the likely reason for her being targeted.

Simultaneously, the legal status of US-based commentator Kevin Taylor has sparked further friction between the major political parties. During a recent panel on NewsFile, NDC MP for Akwatia, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, defended the decision not to arrest Taylor upon a recent return to Ghana, citing an ongoing Supreme Court review that deemed a previously issued bench warrant improper. This explanation led to a clash with legal practitioner Samson Lardy, who pointed to public perceptions that the NDC sponsors Taylor’s commentary. Baidoo clarified that while he was not defending Taylor’s past statements, the rights of individuals must be respected when legal warrants are under judicial review.

In response to the mounting criticism, government representatives have sought to distinguish between protected free speech and criminal conduct. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State for Government Communications, asserted that the administration does not condone the harassment of journalists or citizens but emphasized that freedom of expression does not extend to unlawful threats. As Ghana navigates these digital-era legal challenges, Annoh-Dompreh and other observers maintain that the health of the nation's democracy depends on the fair and non-partisan application of the law, ensuring that state institutions remain independent of political influence.