Assin South MP, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, has questioned whether Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act is being applied equally to people on different sides of Ghana’s political divide.

During the Newsfile discussion with host Samson Lardy Anyenini, he asked whether the law was being used mainly against members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and people who are critical of the government.

“Does Section 208 of our Criminal Code apply to only NPP people or people who deem to be critical of this government?” he asked.

He also questioned whether the identification of people behind online content was being pursued without regard to political affiliation.

“IP address, does President Mahama only know the IP address of NPP people? What about the NDC people who are still perpetrating such offences under Section 208?” he asked.

Ntim Fordjour said the issue went beyond the current dispute involving Ghana Jollof and should instead raise questions about the consistent enforcement of laws governing offensive and allegedly false publications.

He argued that people who support the government should not be exempt from scrutiny if their conduct falls within the same legal provisions being used against government critics.

“How many people do they keep circulating, keep producing content that is vilifying, but because they are favourable of this government, they have not been arrested?” he asked.

He described that situation as “most hypocritical” and said the law should not be applied according to political allegiance.

Ntim Fordjour also called on influential voices outside politics to take the issue seriously.

“It is appalling and I’m appealing to the clergy, the communicable bodies. Let us rise up,” he said.

He urged chiefs, respected journalists and religious leaders to condemn what he considers unfair application of the law.

“Whether you are NDC or NPP, this is a time if you’re a chief, if you are a respected journalist, clergy, let us rise up and condemn these acts and ensure that the law is applied fairly,” he said.