President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Efua Ghartey, has raised concerns over the arrest of social media commentators, urging authorities to respect the constitutional rights of suspects and ensure that bail conditions are reasonable.

She said that excessive bail conditions imposed by investigative and prosecutorial authorities must be reviewed to ensure they do not undermine the rights of suspects.

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Ghartey made the remarks at the opening of the GBA’s 2026/2027 Annual Conference in Ada.

She disclosed that the Association, at its maiden fully virtual Mid-year Conference on June 5, 2026, adopted a resolution on excessive bail conditions imposed by investigative and prosecutorial authorities.

According to her, such conditions must comply with Article 14 of the 1992 Constitution and should be “reasonable, proportionate and consistent with the presumption of innocence.”

Ghartey also disclosed plans for the establishment of a Human Rights Watch Committee within the GBA to monitor the protection of constitutional and human rights.

She said the proposed committee would be particularly useful in cases involving social commentators, including the recent arrests of some TikTokers.

“In cases where social commentators, such as the arrest of TikTokers, the Committee would be able to give the requisite legal aid to suspects,” she stated.

The GBA President said the proposal would provide an avenue for the legal profession to monitor cases where fundamental rights may be at stake and provide the necessary legal support.

She stressed that the presumption of innocence and other constitutional protections must be respected in the administration of justice.

Article 14 of the 1992 Constitution provides safeguards relating to personal liberty, and Mrs Ghartey said authorities must ensure that bail conditions meet the constitutional requirement of reasonableness and proportionality.

Ghartey further reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to ensuring that state institutions operate within the constitutional framework.

“We shall not relent on our efforts to hold statutory and governmental bodies to the constitutional standards of our country for our common good,” she said.

Her comments come amid public interest in the arrest and prosecution of individuals over comments and content shared on social media.

NA/BAI