The National Chairman of Friends of Bawumia ‘08 (FoB ‘08), Charles Owusu Juanah, over the weekend embarked on a major media engagement tour in the Ashanti Region, specifically in Kumasi, where he addressed a wide range of national and political issues dominating public discourse.

The legal practitioner, who also serves as lawyer for the National Cathedral project, granted interviews on both Kessben Television and Radio as well as Wontumi Television and Radio, using the platforms to comment extensively on governance, the country’s energy situation, developments within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Cathedral project, and the recently concluded nationwide tour by FoB ‘08’.

Concerns Over Criminalization of Free Speech

Touching on what he described as the growing criminalization of free speech in the country, Lawyer Juanah criticized what he termed the increasing arrests and intimidation of individuals, particularly persons perceived to be affiliated with the New Patriotic Party.

According to him, Ghana’s democratic framework does not support the use of state power to intimidate citizens over comments or criticisms expressed against public officials or institutions.

He argued that with the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law years ago, aggrieved persons or institutions have constitutionally guaranteed avenues to seek legal redress through the courts rather than resorting to what he described as “rambo-style arrests.”

“When someone makes a comment against another individual or institution, the individual or institution has the right in our constitution to go to court. It’s not within the jurisdiction of government to move around arresting people in rambo-style,” he stressed.

Lawyer Juanah further advised President John Dramani Mahama not to preside over what he described as a return to the era of fear, intimidation, and suppression of dissenting voices.

“President Mahama, do not take us back into the days of military rule where the rights and freedom of speech of Ghanaians were criminalized. When people are oppressed to their elastic limit, they may have no option than to resist,” he cautioned.

Despite his criticism, he also called on Ghanaians to exercise their constitutional right to free speech responsibly in order to strengthen democratic accountability and peaceful governance.

“Government Must Be Truthful About Dumso”

On the country’s recurring electricity challenges, commonly referred to as “Dumso,” Lawyer Juanah attributed the situation to what he described as the government’s lack of financial capacity to procure fuel for power generation.

According to him, the current power outages are evidence of deeper financial difficulties confronting the administration.

“The government does not have money to buy fuel to power the plants,” he stated, adding that government officials must be transparent with citizens regarding the real state of affairs.

He urged President Mahama to focus on resolving the energy crisis instead of, in his words, “arresting people for stating the obvious.”

“Ghanaians deserve better,” he emphasized.

Referencing the 2024 election campaign, Lawyer Juanah recalled the “Resetting Ghana” campaign message used by President Mahama and questioned whether the current energy challenges reflected the kind of reset promised to Ghanaians.

He contrasted former administrations based on what he described as their defining legacy policies, stating that former President John Agyekum Kufuor is remembered for introducing the National Health Insurance Scheme and Free Maternal Healthcare, while former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is associated with the Free SHS policy.

According to him, President Mahama’s administration continues to be associated in the minds of many Ghanaians with the era of persistent power outages.

Juanah Praises Bawumia’s Reconciliation Efforts Within NPP

Addressing internal developments within the NPP, Lawyer Juanah commended Mahamudu Bawumia for appointing all former presidential aspirants in the party’s recent presidential primaries as co-campaign coordinators.

He described the decision as a major step toward reconciliation and unity within the party ahead of the 2028 general elections.

“What Dr. Bawumia has done is a step in the right direction and will help deepen reconciliation within the NPP,” he noted.

He subsequently urged the various presidential hopefuls to encourage their supporters toward unity and cooperation in the collective interest of returning the party to power in 2028.

Lawyer Juanah also appealed to party leadership to take disciplinary action against individuals who disrespect or undermine any of the presidential aspirants, warning that such conduct could create avoidable tensions within the party.

Concerns Over Conduct in Polling Station Elections

On the ongoing polling station executive elections within the NPP, the FoB ‘08 National Chairman expressed concern over allegations that some party officials assigned supervisory responsibilities were abusing their authority to advance personal interests.

He cautioned such individuals against what he described as “mafia tactics” against party members.

“When you are assigned a responsibility by the party, you must work according to the rules and guidelines of the party. You do not use the opportunity to advance personal interests at the expense of the entire party,” he stated.

National Cathedral Must Continue – Juanah

Commenting on the status of the National Cathedral of Ghana project, Lawyer Juanah maintained that criticisms surrounding the project were largely fueled by misinformation propagated during the 2024 election campaign.

According to him, after assuming office, the current administration has been unable to substantiate many of the allegations previously made against the project.

“It has become abundantly clear that because of the misinformation spread about the project during the 2024 elections, they are now confronted with the realities and are struggling to find fault where none exists,” he argued.

He further asserted that all audits conducted in relation to the project had not uncovered any wrongdoing.

“All audits have been completed and no wrongdoing has been established, so why is government silent on the matter? Christians deserve better and the National Cathedral must be built,” he stated.

Lawyer Juanah subsequently called on President Mahama to openly support and facilitate the continuation of the project.

FoB ‘08 Nationwide Tour Ends Successfully

Touching on the recently concluded nationwide tour by Friends of Bawumia ‘08, Lawyer Juanah expressed appreciation to members and organizers across the country for what he described as a successful and impactful exercise.

He commended the dedication of the FoB ‘08 team and urged members to begin implementing the strategies and organizational directives discussed during the tour in preparation toward securing victory for Dr. Bawumia and the NPP in the 2028 general elections.

He stressed that unity, grassroots mobilization, discipline, and strategic engagement would remain critical in the party’s quest to regain political power.