“If Kelvin Taylor Is Free, Camila Alhassan Should Not Be in Jail”:Richard Ahiagbah to Mahama

The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to ensure what he describes as fairness in the treatment of government critics, arguing that if controversial commentator Kelvin Taylor is able to operate freely, then Camila Alhassan should not remain in detention.

In a strongly worded statement shared on x (formerly Twitter), Ahiagbah questioned what he described as the selective treatment of critics and urged the President to uphold democratic principles by applying equal standards regardless of political affiliation.

“Good morning, Your Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama. If Kelvin Taylor is moving around free, then Camila Alhassan should not be in jail. Fair is fair, Mr. President,” Ahiagbah wrote.

The NPP communications director alleged that the actions taken against Camila Alhassan were carried out in the President’s name and warned that such measures could undermine Mahama’s democratic legacy.

“This repressive action against Camila Alhassan was carried out in your name. The heavy-handedness does no favors for your legacy because such efforts can’t silence citizens in a democracy; they never worked in the past, and they won’t work now,” he stated.

Ahiagbah argued that arresting or harassing individuals who criticize the government would only generate more opposition rather than silence dissent.

According to him, citizens in a democracy will continue to voice their frustrations regardless of the consequences.

“The only thing to be gained from these arrests and harassment of critics of your government is more dissenters and critics. Eventually, the people will prevail because this is a democracy, and citizens will speak out or vent their frustrations regardless of the cost.”

He further maintained that the best way to reduce public criticism is through effective governance and tangible results, not the suppression of opposing voices.

“The only thing that silences dissent is results, but so far, the results are lacking; you cannot silence Ghanaians when the government fails to deliver. We will dissent even louder because it is our right to speak up.”

Ahiagbah also cautioned that continued repression could strengthen, rather than weaken, public opposition to the government.

“Your government will be overwhelmed by dissent if repression and suppression are your responses. More Camila Alhassans will emerge to hold your government accountable,” he concluded.

His comments add to the growing public debate surrounding the arrest and detention of Camila Alhassan, with supporters and critics offering differing views on the government’s handling of dissent and freedom of expression.