Private legal practitioner, governance advocate, and a strong believer in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Martin Kpebu has confirmed that the National Security always protect social media troll Kevin Taylor whenever he is in Ghana.
He questioned why the US-based detractor who consistently insults former President Nana Akufo-Addo and other high-profile personalities in the country should be given security protection under President John Mahama (JM) while others are arrested for engaging in similar anti-social activities.
“Look at Kevin Taylor. When he comes into Ghana, who protects him? It’s JM’s National Security that gives him protection,” Mr. Kpebu, who publicly announced he is an ardent supporter of President Mahama, disclosed.
Speaking on Saturday’s programme ‘The Key Points’ on TV3, Mr. Kpebu said while he supports the President, the current administration is developing a troubling record on free speech.
The private legal practitioner who has consistently exhibited his dislike for the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its officials, particularly former President Akufo-Addo and former Vice President Bawumia, noted that in just one and a half years, the Mahama administration has arrested more people over matters related to free speech than the previous government did throughout its eight years in office.
“For one and a half years, this current administration has arrested more people on the matter of free speech than Akufo-Addo’s eight years. It’s a bad record. JM should pay attention,” he urged.
Mr Kpebu cautioned that if such actions continue, public confidence in the government could quickly diminish.
“They start small, small, small. Before he discovers, all the goodwill will be gone. Let people speak,” Mr Kpebu urged President Mahama to allow Ghanaians to freely express their opinions, even when those opinions are harsh or offensive.
“He should let people speak,” he reiterated to the President, arguing that political leaders in a democracy must be prepared to endure criticism.
To support his point, Mr Kpebu recalled how critics frequently used strong language against former President Akufo-Addo, yet they were not prosecuted.
He referenced comments made by Mr Mahama’s presidential staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah, who famously likened former President Akufo-Addo to the biblical King Nebuchadnezzar.
He argued that democracy requires tolerance for provocative political speech, provided it does not amount to direct incitement to violence.
South African example
Drawing an international comparison, Mr. Kpebu cited a ruling by South Africa’s Constitutional Court involving the controversial anti-apartheid song “Kill the Boer.”
He explained that the court held the slogan was a historical liberation chant rather than a literal call to murder white people.
According to Mr Kpebu, the ruling illustrates how democratic societies often distinguish between offensive political expression and genuine incitement to violence.
He urged Ghanaian authorities to adopt a similar approach by protecting freedom of expression while balancing it with public order and the rule of law.
