“I have crocodile skin; insults don’t bother me” — President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has said he does not mind being insulted, explaining that years of political experience have made him resilient to criticism and personal attacks.
Speaking on the recent arrests linked to social media content, President Mahama said he has endured insults, vilification and even losing political office and therefore does not allow such experiences to distract him from his responsibilities.
“As a leader, I don’t mind being insulted. I’ve been insulted, I was vilified, and I was voted out of office, so for me, this skin is a crocodile skin, so if you insult me, I don’t mind. And indeed, I’m doing what I can for my country and my continent,” he said.
His comments come amid renewed public debate over the arrest and prosecution of individuals over social media publications involving political commentary, alleged offensive conduct and false information.
The President has, however, distinguished between personal insults and content that may cross into unlawful conduct.
President Mahama has also cautioned against criminalising legitimate criticism, political commentary, satire and dissent, while maintaining that threats, incitement, hate speech and other unlawful conduct should be addressed within the law.
He further warned that disproportionate arrests over criticism or politically charged commentary could undermine public confidence in state institutions.
The debate follows several recent cases involving social media users. In one prominent case, police declared TikToker Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof”, wanted over allegations including the publication and circulation of false news and inciting content. A nurse, Salomey Awity Baffoe, was also arrested and remanded in connection with alleged involvement in the distribution of the content. The accused persons’ cases remain subject to the judicial process.
It is against this background that the President, earlier this week, called for a national stakeholder engagement involving the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to examine hate speech, abusive online content and the regulation of emerging digital platforms.