Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has defended the arrest of individuals accused of making threats against President John Dramani Mahama, insisting that anyone who threatens the president’s life will face the full force of the law.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV, which was shared on X on August 4, 2026, Kwakye Ofosu dismissed claims that the arrests are politically motivated or intended to suppress free speech.
According to him, the government has not targeted anyone for expressing opposing political views, noting that several New Patriotic Party (NPP) officials have openly criticised the administration without being arrested.
He stressed that while the government respects freedom of expression, it draws the line when comments amount to threats against the life of the president.
“But if you sit on TikTok and threaten the life of a president, saying you will behead the president, put him in a cocoa sack, and attack his wife, you cannot go scot-free. If you did that in any advanced democracy, they would hold you accountable. If you threaten somebody’s life, let alone that of a president, then they will catch up with you,” he said.
Kwakye Ofosu also reacted to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s recent appeal for charges against an NDC organiser accused of making offensive remarks about him to be dropped.
He described Dr Bawumia’s position as politically convenient, arguing that the former vice president remained silent when journalist Bobie Ansah was prosecuted over comments involving his wife and former First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo.
“When he was Vice President, Bobie Ansah accused his wife and the then First Lady, Madam Rebecca Akufo-Addo, of appropriating state land. The government of the day, in which he was Vice President, put him on trial. That trial is actually still ongoing. The matter is still before the court.
“What was his position at the time? Did he utter a word when he had power and was in a position to influence events? He didn’t. So nobody can take this latest announcement seriously. It is simply an attempt to take political advantage. This is politicking,” he added.
The government spokesperson maintained that the administration remains committed to protecting freedom of expression while ensuring that threats against public officials, particularly the president, are dealt with in accordance with the law.
