Senior Lawyer Charles Owusu Juanah Warns Against Selective Arrests

Story by Fada Amakye

Senior legal practitioner Charles Owusu Juanah has cautioned against what he describes as the selective criminalization of political speech, warning that Ghana’s democracy is weakened when citizens are arrested for expressing opinions about government.

Addressing the media, Owusu Juanah said he had observed “multiple arrests of people who have since shared their opinion” since the change of government.

“I address you today with a heavy heart, but with an unshaken commitment to constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and the sacred liberties guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution,” he said.

The senior citizen made clear he does not condone insults or personal attacks on the president or any public official.

Leadership deserves dignity. Public office deserves decorum. Political discourse must never degenerate into vulgarity, reckless abuse, or attacks on the humanity of individuals,” he said. He cited Article 41(f) of the 1992 Constitution and biblical texts to argue that civic responsibility must be exercised “responsibly, lawfully, and respectfully.

However, he argued that democracy cannot operate on double standards. Owusu Juanah recalled that under the previous NPP administration, senior NDC figures now in government had used “highly offensive, abusive, and prohibitive language” against former President Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, their families, and appointees.

Yet, despite the provocative nature of many of these statements, Ghana did not descend into mass arrests and systemic criminalization of political expression,” he said.

He stressed that restraint is essential for democracy, adding that “democracy is tested most not when government receives praises, but when government faces criticism, anger, exaggeration, provocation.

Owusu Juanah urged authorities to uphold constitutional freedoms and ensure that disagreement with government does not become a basis for intimidation or detention.