Freedom of expression is not absolute, Ghanaians told

The President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Mr. Yaw Acheampong Boafo while addressing the 2022 Bar conference in Ho, Ghana, reminded the participants that freedom of expression as guaranteed and protected under the 1992 Constitution is not absolute. 

He explained that ‘the constitution attaches a corresponding and even a greater deal of responsibility and circumspection to freedom of expression, hence the media and for that matter Ghanaians should not hide behind such a right to violate the legal interests and rights of other citizens and of society or the national interest or public order’.

Article 12 (2) of the 1992 Constitution states that; ‘Every person in Ghana, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, religion, creed or gender shall be entitled to the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual contained in this chapter but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest’.