Former President John Dramani Mahama has lambasted President Akufo-Addo for the “growing criminalization of speech and journalism in Ghana”.
According to him, an investigative journalist was murdered under the president’s watch under very troubling circumstances yet the government has failed to act.
He added that there have been disturbing incidents of harassment of journalists while media houses are forced to shut down under the president’s orders.
In an open letter to the president, John Mahama wrote that “in a space of less than two weeks, four people have suffered police action, criminalizing their right to free speech.”
“As Attorney General, at the time, who led the repeal of the criminal libel law, in order that citizens could freely express their views, it is unconscionable to be suppressing the rights and criminalising the speech of citizens and journalists.”
John Mahama’s comments follow the arrest of Kwabena Bobie-Ansah of Class Media Group on Thursday night for alleged publication of false news and offensive conduct.
Ex-president Mahama was worried that the power of the state is used as a pliant tool in intimidating journalists.
To buttress his point, he stated that “radio and TV presenter Captain Smart was dragged from court, and although he had been granted bail, sent into detention.”
“Another radio presenter, Oheneba Boamah Bennie has been incarcerated for statements he allegedly made. A civil society activist was arrested, detained, sent to court on criminal charges, granted bail and yet detained again for making a statement against you, President Akufo-Addo.”
While noting that President Akufo-Addo is setting a dangerous precedence for the nation, Mahama indicated that it is even more sad that the Ghana Journalists Association and its senior members, the clergy and other moral leaders are scared because of what he describes as the oppressive and dictatorial regime hindering Ghana’s democracy.
“President Akufo-Addo, you cannot continue to oppress the people, criminalize speech when these matters are essentially civil in nature, if you feel offended by them,” he noted.
John Mahama intimated that the President’s actions have totally discredited him of the self-acquired accolade as a human rights lawyer and activist.
He further advised President Akufo-Addo to take immediate action to arrest this unfortunate trend or risk leaving behind a legacy that would not include freedom of speech and a free media.
