Opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker for Suame, John Darko, has criticised Attorney General Dominic Ayine over remarks defending limits on free speech, accusing the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of undermining constitutional freedoms.

Darko said comments attributed to the Attorney General, which referenced public order and morality as grounds for restricting speech, amounted to an attempt to justify curbs on free expression under the current administration.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday (20 May) the legislator questioned whether Ghanaians had voted for what he described as a “reset” that weakens democratic freedoms.

He argued that democracy depends on open criticism, accountability and diverse opinions, warning against what he called selective justice and fear-driven governance.

Darko maintained that constitutional guarantees on free speech must be protected, insisting that no government should use legal limits on expression to silence dissenting political voices.

The Suame MP’s remarks come amid ongoing political debate over the boundaries of free expression and state responses to public commentary deemed offensive or harmful.

The Attorney General has previously defended the government’s position, arguing that free speech is protected under the constitution but subject to lawful restrictions in the interest of public order and national security.