In a recent ruling, the Accra High Court has thrown out a contempt case filed against the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, by Reverend Victor Kusi-Boateng, the Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral.
The case was filed by Reverend Kusi-Boateng after Mr. Ablakwa had made comments on social media which he claimed were defamatory and sought to bring the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral into disrepute.
Mr. Ablakwa had criticized the government's decision to allocate funds for the construction of the National Cathedral, arguing that the money could be better spent on social amenities and infrastructure.
In response, Reverend Kusi-Boateng filed a motion for contempt against Mr. Ablakwa, accusing him of making comments which were in contempt of court, as the case was already before the court.
However, the Accra High Court dismissed the case, ruling that there was no evidence to suggest that Mr. Ablakwa had acted in contempt of court.
The ruling has been hailed by supporters of Mr. Ablakwa who had argued that the case was a clear attempt to silence dissent and stifle freedom of speech.
In a statement issued after the ruling, Mr. Ablakwa expressed gratitude to the court for upholding the principles of justice and fairness.
"I am pleased that the court has dismissed this frivolous and baseless case. I will continue to speak truth to power and to fight for the rights of my constituents and all Ghanaians," he said.
The ruling is being seen as a victory for democracy and the rule of law in Ghana, where freedom of speech and the press have been under threat in recent years.
It is hoped that the ruling will send a strong message to those who seek to use legal means to silence their critics and that it will encourage more journalists and public officials to speak truth to power without fear of reprisals.
Overall, the ruling by the Accra High Court is a welcome development for democracy and freedom of speech in Ghana, and a reminder that the courts should always uphold the principles of justice and fairness, regardless of the parties involved.
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