'Spy Bill' threat to human rights and freedoms - Martin Amidu

Former Attorney General Martin Amidu has kicked against the passage of the Postal Packets and Telecommunication Messages Bill into law.

In a letter addressed to parliament dated February 29, 2016, Mr Amidu said the bill had the tendency to interfere with fundamental human rights and freedoms of citizens.

"It had the tendency to interfere with the fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed under the constitution and needed a critical bi-partisan examination and analysis to ensure that it secured civil liberties recognised in free and democratic societies," he said.

He said, Section 6 will be unnecessary if the request for authorization or warrant is made directly by the law enforcement or security and intelligence agency concerned.

The bill that is currently in its consideration stage in parliament, will essentially grant government access to record telephone calls and messages of individuals.

The bill when passed into law, will also give government the power to intercept postal packages upon suspicion of threat to the security of the country or any other individual.

Parliament has come under pressure from some civil society organisation to suspend the passing of the Postal Packets and Telecommunication Messages Bill until enough public opinion has been sought on the matter.

Occupy Ghana believes a bill of such nature, with the capacity to heavily intrude private lives with possible commercial implications cannot be rushed through Parliament, having earlier been reclusively published in the newspapers.