ALIWA Class IV (Muje Ghangeria) Fellow Samuel Attah-Mensah is calling for a careful, institution-led approach to Ghana’s growing debate around hate speech and freedom of expression.
In a recent article, he examines the challenge of protecting citizens from genuinely harmful speech without creating mechanisms that could restrict legitimate criticism, political dissent or press freedom.
Samuel argues that the answer lies in strong institutions rather than discretionary power, advocating clear definitions of hate speech, transparent processes and independent oversight. He argues for strengthening institutions such as Ghana’s National Media Commission to navigate these tensions, underscoring a broader principle of values-based leadership: effective governance requires systems that protect both citizens and democratic freedoms, regardless of who holds power.
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