The one-year prison sentence handed to TikToker Camilla Alhassan has triggered growing calls for President John Dramani Mahama to grant her a pardon, with lawyers, journalists and civil society leaders arguing that criminal prosecution is the wrong response to offensive political speech.
The case has rapidly evolved into a wider national debate over freedom of expression, with many of the country’s prominent voices warning that imprisonment could set a worrying precedent for constitutional democracy, even as they condemn Alhassan’s comments.
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Calls for Mahama to intervene gather momentum
Several prominent public figures have appealed directly to President Mahama to pardon Alhassan, saying the punishment is disproportionate despite the offensive nature of her remarks.
IMANI Africa President Franklin Cudjoe was among the first to urge the President to intervene.
“Mr. President, please reject this senseless persecution in your name! Please pardon Ms. Alhassan.”
Joy FM Super Morning Show host Kojo Yankson also called on Mahama to exercise his constitutional prerogative of mercy.
He argued that while Alhassan’s comments deserved public condemnation, they should not have resulted in imprisonment.
According to Yankson, a presidential pardon would demonstrate Mahama’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression while signalling that criminal prosecution should not become the preferred response to offensive speech.
Lawyers and journalists question criminal prosecution
Although almost every commentator condemned Alhassan’s comments, many questioned why the case was pursued through the criminal justice system instead of civil proceedings.
IMANI Africa Vice President Kofi Bentil argued that defamation should not result in criminal prosecution.
“What the lady did was defamatory. The remedy is NOT CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.”
Renowned US-based lawyer Professor Kwaku Asare described the case as a constitutional issue rather than a moral one.
“A democracy cannot prosecute its way to civility.”
He argued that public officials must tolerate criticism, ridicule and even offensive speech as part of democratic governance, adding that the criminal law cannot restore civic values.
Journalist Kweku Asante similarly criticised the prosecution, saying the court simply applied the law after Alhassan pleaded guilty.
“No one should be prosecuted for saying things like this.”
Joy FM’s Super Morning Show co-host Winston Amoah also questioned whether imprisonment was appropriate.
Although he described Alhassan’s remarks as “completely unprintable”, he maintained that they did not justify a custodial sentence.
Police defend conviction as legal proceedings continue
While criticism mounted, the Ghana Police Service defended the prosecution, describing the conviction as the outcome of a lawful investigation.
Police said Alhassan was arrested on July 9 after investigators intercepted a TikTok video containing offensive remarks, alleged threats and false allegations targeting President Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama.
According to the Service, she pleaded guilty before the Accra Circuit Court and was sentenced on July 16 to one year’s imprisonment with hard labour.
Police also disclosed that they intend to prosecute her before the High Court on a separate charge of false communication under the Electronic Communications Act.
Meanwhile, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo Markin alleged that Alhassan may have been persuaded to plead guilty after being led to believe she would receive a lighter sentence, an expectation he said did not materialise.
Why the debate matters
The discussion surrounding Alhassan’s conviction now extends far beyond one TikTok video.
It has reopened questions about the limits of free speech in Ghana, the use of criminal sanctions for offensive expression and whether civil remedies provide a more appropriate response in cases involving public officials.
While supporters of the prosecution argue that freedom of expression should not protect falsehoods, threats or conduct capable of disturbing public peace, critics insist that constitutional democracies should not rely on imprisonment to regulate political speech.
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