Former President John Mahama says he is appalled at the rising spate of free speech criminalisation in the country under the Akufo-Addo led administration.
To him, the suppression of dissent under the governing NPP could have negative implications on the nation while President Akufo-Addo also risks having freedom of speech and a free media not counted as part of the legacy he bequeathed.
"Your actions as President have totally discredited your self-acquired accolade as a human rights lawyer and activist. Ghana has long emerged from the unfortunate past where journalists were cowed by incarceration and brutalization.
"I fear that if you do not take immediate action to arrest this unfortunate trend, when you exit the high office of President in January 2025, freedom of speech and a free media will certainly not be counted as part of the legacy you leave behind,"
Describing himself as a brother in a letter to the President, Mr Mahama said his successor is setting a dangerous precedent with the recent arrests and prosecution of journalists in the country.
This letter comes on the back of the jailing of Power FM Journalist Oheneba Boamah and the arrest of Accra FM’s Bobie Ansah and Captain Smart of Media General, all over speech-related issues.
"Now, 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. It is even more worrying when the power of the state is used as a pliant tool in this intimidating endeavour".
Read full Letter Below
Dear President Nana Akufo-Addo,
I am appalled at the growing criminalisation of speech and journalism in Ghana, under your watch, in this 21st century.
An investigative journalist was murdered, under very troubling circumstances. Yet, while the Ghanaian people and the international community have demanded justice, Government’s inability or unwillingness to act is obvious to all. The police have virtually shelved the investigations into this brutal murder.
There have also been several disturbing incidents of harassment of journalists in the line of duty; we have witnessed media establishments closed down on your instructions, despite many appeals to you.
Now, 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. It is even more worrying when the power of the state is used as a pliant tool in this intimidating endeavour.
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.
As if to suggest insincerity behind the serious decriminalization of speech that you led, another radio presenter, Bobie Ansah, has been arrested, detained and charged– criminalized for speaking and making allegations against your wife.
Again, last week, security personnel linked to your party brutalized a radio presenter and producer in the city of Takoradi. Such lawless attacks have today become common occurrences in our country.
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.
It is even more sad that the Journalists Association and its senior members, many of our clergy and other moral leaders, scared because of the oppressive and dictatorial regime you are running, have remained quiet in the face of this disturbing development in our maturing democracy.
This is a dangerous blueprint you are fashioning for our dear nation and it must not be encouraged. Your actions as President have totally discredited your self-acquired accolade as a human rights lawyer and activist. Ghana has long emerged from the unfortunate past where journalists were cowed by incarceration and brutalization.
I fear that if you do not take immediate action to arrest this unfortunate trend, when you exit the high office of President in January 2025, freedom of speech and a free media will certainly not be counted as part of the legacy you leave behind.
Your brother,
John Dramani Mahama.
Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected]
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SO HE MEANS HE USED TO DICTATE TO THE JUDICIARY ON HOW TO DO THEIR WORK? SOOO SAD! THIS MAN IS AS MISGUIDED AS ANYTHING. HE CAN'T DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE WORK OF STATE INSTITUTIONS AND DESIRES OF INDIVIDUALS. WHEN THE LAW BITES YOU YOU SAY SOMEONE IS BECOMING AUTOCRATIC; WHEN SOMEBODY BITES THE LAW TOO YOU SAY SOMEONE IS WEAK IN ENFORCING LAWS! WHO ARE YOU MR. GREEDY?
Mahama! I guess you are now feeling the power turkey. Your rants are betraying your real feelings. Let's all allow the sleeping laws of Ghana to rise and work again. I believe you talk too much
So Mahama wants to tell me that, democracy is so called journalist insulting Ghana president, I know you sent them. keep your mouth shut. please you are not serious at all, is that we do politics, ask the white people if democracy is insult.
WHEN DID NDC BECAME MANAGERS OF THE ECONOMY IF THE GAVE GHANA AND GHANAIANS TO IMF TO MANAGE IT. SIGNED TAKE OR PAY POWER SECTOR AGREEMENTS, DOUBLE SALARY TAKERS, BUS BRANDING LOOTERS, WAYOMY LOOTERS, SOLD OLD 120 RAIL CARS FOR SCRAP WHICH COULD BEEN REPAIRE BY SWAME MAGAZANE FOR $50,000 DOLLARS. BRANDNEW OF THESE RAIL CARS COST 500,000 DOLLARS WHICH NPP CURRENTLY HAS FIXED 10 RAIL CARS BY SWAME MAGAZANE FOR 50,000 DOLLARS SUCH A DISPICABLE ART OF LOOT AND WASTE BY NDC ***barred word*** LOOSERS ECONOMIC MISMANAGEMENT. The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in 1987 obtained a first class degree in economics from the University of Buckingham, the only independent university with a Royal Charter. In Ontario, Canada. There's a provincial tax called (Hamonous) and it's 13% that is added to everything you buy from the shop. Suppose you see a pair of shoes that is priced at $100, you'd pay additional 13% on it so you'd end up paying for $113 at the cashier. Ghanaians complain too much but expect so much... Even if you go to the bank and exchange money from Canadian dollars to the US dollars, you'd be taxed 7% SO 1.75% IS A DROP IN THE OCEAN AND TELL GHANAIANS NOT TO THING OF COMING TO NORTH AMERICA BECAUSE TAXES IS WHAT MAKE THIS COUNTRY WORKED USA AND CANADA DO NOT BORROW TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR CITIZENS BUT RATHER THE CITIZENS PAY FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT NO FREE LUNCH ANY WHERE IN THE WORLD LAZY GHANAIANS THE FREE DAYS ARE OVER LOOSERS.
Mr. Mahama, are you sponsoring those 'journalist' to INSULT? Oh, Ghana! We once had this as a leader? No wonder we are where we are
Surprising stuff from Mahama again. Please answer my question: has Nana Addo changed any law or the law is being enforced? Clearly with this IGP, the laws are enforced to the benefit of all Ghanaians. As a President of Ghana, Nana Addo is the Chief Legal Enforcer and must allow IGP and the police to work. If those arrested have not breached any law, they will be freed by courts and they can sue police and that is democracy. This tells me, Mahama will not be elected as president again as he wants only chaos because he desperately want power.
HAVE YOU SEEN THE TRAP JOHN MAHAMA AND THE NDC HAD SET UP? THEY ARE USING THEIR CRONNIES IN THE MEDIA TO HAUL INSULTS AND UNSUBSTANTIATED STORIES IN UNPRINTABLE WORDS AGAINST THE PRESIDENT AND HIS GOVERNMENT, AND WHEN THEY ARE CALLED INTO ORDER, THEY READ INTIMIDATION INTO IT. NOTE, AND BEAR IT IN MIND, THAT FREEDOM IS NOT LICENSIOUS TO DO ANYTHING NOT WORTH DOING. THEY WILL BE TRAPPED IN THEIR OWN TRAPS.
***barred word*** ***barred word*** John Mahama. Under your watch Stan Dogbe was beating and smashing the camera of Journalists here in Ghana and abroad. Listen John Mahama, free speech does not means people should spew lies and insult on leaders and authorities. We should be responsible citizens and journalists.
Freedom of speech does nt mean someone should should go and sit on a political radio station and scandalized an individual of things he cannot substantiate with evidence? Mr. Ex-presido! what are you talking about? Under your administration montie 3 were jailed for similar offence. At that time were you infringing on their rights? GIve us a break