Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams is worried the constitutional right of freedom of speech is being used to run down persons who express dissenting views.

He said the practice, if not immediately halted, could lead to dire consequences for the nation in the future.

The Archbishop’s concern was in relation to how some loyalists of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) continuously heap attacks on the General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (IGCC), Pastor Mensa Otabil, whose comments many party supporters perceive to hold views that oppose those of the government.

Speaking on the Joy FM Super Morning Show broadcast from the Church’s headquarters in Accra, Monday November 3, 2014, the popular religious leader said people are free to criticise the works or statements by others so long as it is done constructively other than it being done in a “destructive” manner. 

He said the country is lucky to have a religious leader in the person of Pastor Otabil who has contributed tremendously to the socio-economic development of the Nation through his church, to the extent of establishing the Central University College- currently the biggest private university in Ghana.

"It’s not fair to criticize everything he has done...Our freedom of speech is becoming freedom of insult".

Archbishop Duncan-Williams, therefore, said: “For somebody like Dr. Otabil considering the things he has done, some level of credit should be given to him. Celebrate him for some of the things he has done for this country”.

“I don’t think the man should be seen as an enemy and I don't think people should tear him down and refuse to acknowledge the role he has played… Criticize him constructively but don’t pull him through the mud,” the spiritual leader counseled.

He added that “I may not agree with your opinion, but that also does not mean you are an enemy”.