- “I think that if you speak to many journalists today, they will tell you that the kind of environment that we exist in now ... is one that is not too cordial for mental freedom to practise journalism. [But] if you ask me, some of the things that are being said are reckless”
Sulemana Braimah, the executive director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has said the Ghanaian media are under siege following recent high-profile arrests of individuals on charges of or related to false publication. Among those arrested are media practitioners.
At least three individuals, including the executive director of ASEPA, Mensah Thompson, and the Bono regional chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe (popularly known as Abronye DC), are facing trial over statements they made in the media that the police say amount to false publications.
Speaking to Kofi Abotsi on TownHall Talk on Asaase Radio 99.5 on Friday (18 February 2022), Braimah said: “So, if a journalist feels that ‘what is happening makes me unsafe and I am likely to be picked [up], or to be arrested, or to be beaten or bullied’, then it leads to self-censorship. And of course even if the person does not self-censor, he may or she may put out what he may put out there with fear.
“Of course you don’t want people to act while entertaining some fear. Journalists have to do the right thing. They have to be critical; they have to hold those in power to account, and do so without fear or a sense of intimidation,” Braimah said.
He argued that the current environment does not encourage the practice of objective journalism.
“I think that if you speak to many journalists today, they will tell you that the kind of environment that we exist in now … is one that is not too cordial for mental freedom to practise journalism. If you ask me, some of the things that are being said are reckless,” Braimah said.
Oliver charged with treason felony
The state has charged the social media activist and convenor of the #FixTheCountry pressure group, Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor, with treason felony under Section 182 (b) of the Criminal and Other Offences Act 1960 (Act 29).
The particulars of the offence on the charge sheet filed at the Ashaiman district court state that Barker-Vormawor, some time in February 2022, prepared to undertake, by any unlawful means, an enterprise that would usurp the executive powers of the Government of Ghana.
The #FixTheCountry convenor was arrested by the Tema Regional Police on Saturday 12 February 2022 for allegedly saying that he would stage a coup in Ghana if Parliament passes the E-Levy Bill.
A police statement issued on on 12 February said that Barker-Vormawor was being detained at the Tema Regional Police Command, pending further investigations into his social media post.
Bobie Ansah arrest
A presenter with Accra FM, Kwabena Bobie Ansah, has also been arrested for publishing false news, police have said.
A statement issued by the police on 11 February said his arrest became necessary after Bobie Ansah turned down many invitations from the police to assist with the investigation.
Rights and responsibilities
Speaking on The Forum on Asaase Radio on Saturday (12 February), Kwame Jantuah, a private legal practitioner, said reckless speech has the potential to instigate unrest and, therefore, there is a need for limitations on freedom of speech.
“Barker-Vormawor is a constitutional lawyer and he should know better, shouldn’t he?” said Jantuah. “We talk about free speech. Free speech comes with responsibility. You don’t just get up and say things and just walk free, because ‘free speech’ comes with responsibility and limitations …
“And the thing about it is that it’ll instigate others who want a leader or somebody to help them run that cause. I said here the last time: I’ve lived through all the coups [in Ghana], from childhood to adulthood. It has not been a nice event.
“Nobody should even think about it, because it won’t help us. The situation we’re in today will be ten times worse if there’s a coup.”
Mahama’s rant
The former president John Mahama, in an open letter to President Nana Akufo-Addo, has condemned what he described as the “growing criminalisation of speech and journalism in Ghana”.
Mahama’s comment came a day after the arrest of Kwabena Bobie Ansah, a presenter with Accra FM – a radio station affiliated with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mahama’s open letter, which was posted on Facebook, said: “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 brutalisation.
“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 free media will certainly not be counted as part of the legacy you leave behind.”
Fred Dzakpata
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