Hate Speech Not Protected by Constitution – Elizabeth Ohene

The former Education Minister, Elizabeth Ohene has condemned supporters calling for the pardoning of three pro- government communicators jailed for contempt.
Madam Ohene said hate speeches spewed by the jailed three cannot be categorized as freedom of speech.
The two panelists Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn and Montie FM host Salifu Maase need not be pardoned or shown mercy after they contemptuously spoke against the Supreme Court Judges, she maintained.
The NPP former minister noted that death and rape threats that the pro-government communicators made has never been categorized as free speech; hence people should not be blindly showing pity.
According to her, it was the desire of the three to be jailed to prove their loyalty to the party, the governing NDC.
The host, Salifu Maase also known as ‘Mugabe’ in particular announced on his programme on that fateful day that he will consider going to jail a badge of honor after he was summoned by the Supreme Court.
She re-echoed reports that the ‘Montie 3’ claimed their 10,000 cedi fine each should not have been paid so they can serve one more month in default of the payment.
Explaining why she believes the trio deserve no mercy, Madam Ohene said Mugabe accused the Supreme Court (SC) of a politically motivated trial because of his love for the President John Mahama who is 2016 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to the former Minister, it is wrong for people to be signing and supporting a petition calling for a presidential pardon because “our Mugabe [has gotten] his heart desire.”
He must be satisfied by now, she said. The three have spent a week in the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.