The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned the one-year prison sentence handed to TikToker Camilla Alhassan, describing it as a threat to free expression and a sign of growing intolerance under President John Dramani Mahama‘s administration.
An Accra Circuit Court on Thursday, July 16, sentenced the 43-year-old content creator after she pleaded guilty to offensive conduct for publishing videos alleging, without evidence, that President Mahama buried 32 cows as ritual sacrifices to secure victory in the 2024 general election. The court struck out a separate charge of electronic abuse, ruling that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Get more exclusive breaking news updates on our WhatsApp channel .
In a statement, the NPP argued that the conviction raises serious constitutional concerns over the protection of freedom of speech under Article 21 of the 1992 Constitution.
“The imprisonment of a citizen over expressive conduct raises profound constitutional questions regarding the freedom of speech guaranteed under Article 21 of the 1992 Constitution,” the party said.
The opposition maintained that if the President believed he had been defamed, the appropriate remedy was a civil defamation suit rather than criminal prosecution.
The party also criticised the involvement of the police, the Attorney-General and the courts, arguing that the state had used its coercive powers to punish a citizen for her expression.
The NPP further condemned the manner in which Madam Alhassan was handled at the court premises, describing her treatment as an affront to human dignity.
The case has renewed debate over the prosecution of online speech. According to the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), 14 people have been arrested over alleged false news and offensive speech during the first 16 months of the Mahama administration, raising concerns about the increasing use of criminal laws to prosecute online expression.
The NPP said it would support all lawful efforts to appeal Ms. Alhassan’s conviction and sentence and urged the diplomatic community to monitor developments affecting democratic freedoms in Ghana.
