Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has warned that arrests over political insults could damage the government by feeding claims that state institutions are being used to suppress dissent.
Speaking on TV3’s The Key Points on Saturday, August 8, the South Dayi MP said offensive comments about public officials were regrettable but should not routinely trigger police action. “I am upset by some of these arrests; it hurts the government,” he said.
Police action draws criticism
Dafeamekpor suggested that some arrests may be initiated by the police without the government’s approval. Even so, he said the administration must pay attention because it ultimately bears the political cost.
The issue, as he framed it, was proportionality. Insults alone do not threaten the administration, while repeated detentions over political comments can create an impression of intolerance.
“Allow the people to speak. Let’s focus on our mandate and deliver,” he added.
The Majority Chief Whip said confining people over their utterances offered the government no real protection and could instead weaken public goodwill.
NPP protest sharpens debate
His comments came two days after the New Patriotic Party held its Democracy Under Attack demonstration in Accra.
The opposition party accused the government of political persecution, selective justice and the misuse of state agencies. It also raised concerns about the arrest and alleged harassment of some members over public statements.
The government has rejected claims that it is directing state institutions to target political opponents.
Dafeamekpor’s intervention is notable because it comes from within the governing National Democratic Congress. Even arrests not ordered by the administration, he argued, can become its political burden.
The MP urged the government to keep its attention on delivering its mandate. His position was simple: allow citizens to speak and let officials answer criticism through performance rather than arrests.
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