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NPP General Secretary defends Akufo-Addo government's free speech record
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Justin Frimpong Kodua, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party NPP, has asserted that the former administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo demonstrated significant tolerance for criticism and dissent. Speaking on Metro TV on April 20, 2026, Kodua emphasized the importance of distinguishing between legitimate expressions of opinion and statements that could threaten national security or incite public panic. He noted that robust criticism, satire, and caricatures of political leaders are common in democracies and should not be misinterpreted as threats. Kodua cited an instance where a social media user allegedly depicted former President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam against an LGBTQ-themed background, stating that the NPP government chose not to act. He argued that criticism regarding issues like the government's failure to pass anti-LGBTQ+ legislation falls within free expression. However, Kodua differentiated this from dangerous allegations that could undermine the constitution or incite violence, warning that a failure to respect free expression could lead to a "culture of silence." He urged authorities to focus on statements with genuine security implications rather than targeting dissenting views, stressing that protecting free speech is crucial for Ghana's democratic development.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Must ReadFrank Oliver Kpodo, a former Procurement Director at Ghana’s Ministry of Defence and current Director of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has been implicated in a payroll audit for allegedly receiving GH¢427 million in unearned salaries over 29 months. This revelation comes from a new investigation by The Fourth Estate, based on an Auditor-General’s report covering government payroll systems from January 2023 to June 2025. The audit identified over 6,000 government employees who collectively received more than GH¢800 million in unearned salaries, with Kpodo's alleged amount representing over half of this total. The Auditor-General's 2025 Payroll Audit Report recommended the immediate removal of Kpodo and others from the government payroll and the recovery of all unearned salaries. Kpodo, who previously appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on March 31, 2026, for separate allegations, described the current claims as "worrying and surprising." He stated that his salaries were processed with verifiable pay slips and that he was unaware of any irregularities, adding that the Audit Service had not contacted him regarding the matter. He also noted that salary validation at the Ministry of Defence is managed by the Human Resource unit and the Chief Director’s office.
Justin Frimpong Kodua, the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party NPP, has characterized the party's loss in the 2024 general elections as consistent with Ghana’s electoral history, rather than an unexpected event. Speaking on Metro TV on April 20, 2026, Kodua stated that since 1992, political parties in Ghana typically remain in office for about eight years before a change in power. He acknowledged the defeat was disappointing but noted that the scale and dynamics warrant deeper analysis. Kodua mentioned that the NPP has established a fact-finding committee, chaired by Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye, to engage party members and the public across all 16 regions and 276 constituencies to assess its performance. He confirmed that internal reforms, reorganization efforts, and constitutional amendments are underway, and the party has elected former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as its flagbearer for the 2028 Election. Kodua attributed the loss partly to voter apathy within the NPP's base, stating the party lost nearly two million votes between 2020 and 2024, while the opposition National Democratic Congress NDC saw only a marginal increase. He also cited global economic challenges as an external factor affecting incumbent governments. Kodua stressed the importance of party unity and focusing on rebuilding for the future.
Justice Srem Sai, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, has responded to criticisms regarding his public statements on the ongoing Adu-Boahene case. Speaking on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on April 20, 2026, he addressed concerns about a witness's statement that she was unaware of any theft within the organization central to the trial. Justice Srem Sai stated that it is not unusual for individuals accused of financial misconduct to not record their actions, and that embezzlement is typically uncovered after individuals leave office and investigations begin. He clarified his approach to public communication during the trial, emphasizing the need to balance transparency with fairness to the accused, and noted the risk of misconstruing court proceedings if he were to comment daily. The Deputy Attorney General stressed that the case's outcome will depend on evidence presented in court, not media narratives. He reiterated that the prosecution has filed its evidence and is satisfied with the proceedings, stating that the state is committed to due process and is not seeking a conviction at all costs, but believes it can secure a conviction.
Must ReadJustin Frimpong Kodua, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party NPP, stated that the party's loss in the 2024 general elections was not unexpected, aligning with Ghana's historical electoral trends. Speaking on Metro TV on April 20, 2026, Kodua noted that since 1992, political parties typically hold office for about eight years before power shifts. He acknowledged the defeat was disappointing but emphasized that the NPP is actively analyzing the scale and dynamics of the loss. The party has established a fact-finding committee, chaired by Aaron Mike Oquaye, to engage members and the public across all 16 regions and 276 constituencies. Kodua highlighted ongoing internal reforms, reorganization efforts, and constitutional amendments. The NPP has also selected former Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, as its flagbearer for the 2028 elections. Kodua attributed the defeat partly to voter apathy within the NPP's base, revealing a loss of nearly two million votes between 2020 and 2024, while the opposition National Democratic Congress NDC saw only a marginal increase. He also cited global economic challenges affecting incumbent governments worldwide as a contributing factor. Kodua stressed the importance of party unity and moving forward to identify and correct problems rather than engaging in internal blame.