The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has criticized members of the Democracy Hub, a civic group, for exceeding the boundaries of free expression during a recent protest at the 37 portion of Liberation Road in Accra.
Speaking at the 2024 Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) conference, the AG expressed his concerns over what he termed a growing trend of disruptive and unlawful protests. He indicated that while the right to free expression is protected by the constitution, the Democracy Hub’s actions went beyond lawful limits and posed a threat to public safety.
“The actions of the protestors demonstrated gross disregard for the entire Ghanaian community, the safety of their own lives, and the lives of all other members of society,” Dame stated. He emphasized that the protestors’ behavior was not only a violation of public order but also part of a worrying pattern of civil unrest and disorder.
As the country prepares for upcoming general elections, the Attorney General warned against attempts to create public anxiety and tension through protests. He argued that such actions, though often presented as peaceful expressions of dissent, can escalate into violence and undermine public trust in the democratic process.
Godfred Yeboah Dame alleged that some demonstrations are used as a pretext to launch attacks on security forces or disrupt essential public services, further complicating matters for law enforcement.
“This, with the greatest respect, is not countenanced in any democracy,” he stated, citing examples from other countries where protesters have been held accountable for similar acts.
In particular, Godfred Yeboah Dame referred to events in the United Kingdom, where the courts have handed down severe sentences for public disturbances caused by protests.
To illustrate his point, Dame referred to a case in the UK involving the “Just Stop Oil” climate campaign. In July 2024, five protesters were sentenced to prison for causing major disruptions on a London motorway.
According to the AG, the protestors were found guilty of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, with the leader receiving a five-year prison sentence and the other participants receiving four years each.
“In the words of the learned judge, the protestors had ‘crossed the line from concerned campaigner to fanatic,” Dame explained. He drew parallels between this incident and the actions of protestors in Ghana, warning that similar consequences could await those who disregard public safety and order.
Godfred Yeboah Dame also referenced far-right and anti-immigration riots that occurred in England and Northern Ireland following a tragic stabbing incident in Southport in July 2024.
The riots, fueled by misinformation spread online, resulted in attacks on police officers and significant public unrest. In response, UK Prime Minister Keir Stammer assured the public that the rioters would face the full force of the law.
According to Godfred Yeboah Dame, more than 100 individuals were convicted for their involvement in the riots, with prison sentences ranging from 20 months to three years.
“These examples from advanced democracies show that when protestors exceed the limits of free expression and show disregard for the safety of their communities, they face the rigors of the law,” Godfred Yeboah Dame remarked.
Balancing Free Expression and Public Order
Godfred Yeboah Dame’s address highlighted a central tension in democratic societies: balancing the right to protest and express dissent with the need to maintain public order and safety.
While Ghana’s constitution guarantees the right to free speech and peaceful assembly, Dame suggested that these rights are not absolute. When protests threaten the safety of individuals or the stability of society, the state has an obligation to intervene.
“Respectfully, an unhealthy cycle in the life of the nation is occurring again. The drumbeats of violence, mayhem, incitement to violence, and civil disobedience are being beaten and, indeed, have gone a notch higher.”
Godfred Yeboah Dame, Attorney General and Minister of Justice
The Attorney General’s speech emphasized the importance of maintaining the rule of law, especially during times of heightened political and social tensions.
The Attorney General’s remarks were delivered at the 2024 AMJG conference, held under the theme “Improving the Security and Welfare of the Judiciary for Effective Justice Delivery.” The conference brought together key legal professionals to discuss the challenges facing the judiciary and the broader legal system in Ghana.
The judiciary, Godfred Yeboah Dame noted, plays a critical role in upholding the legal boundaries of free expression and ensuring that individuals and groups do not use protests as an excuse for unlawful behavior. He urged judges and magistrates to remain vigilant in enforcing the law while safeguarding the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution.
