President Akufo-Addo has expressed his commitment to freedom of expression of the media and Ghanaians in the country. According to him, an uncensored media will help in holding government accountable to the delivery of their mandate.
Speaking at the Africa Journalists Leaders Conference, he explained that, he is a firm believer in the freedom of the press.
Additionally, the President revealed that, the repeal of the criminal libel law under ex-President Kuffuor led to the freedom of the press. This, he explained, brought an end to over a century “regime of colonial laws repressive of free expression”.
“I maintain that I prefer a boisterous, even reckless media to a supine one. As President of the Republic, I have seen to the passage of right to information act which is meant to give effect to Article 21”.
“I believe, a vibrant and unfettered media is the most effective way to hold government and society to the highest standards of honesty, self-discipline and delivery. On 2nd August 2001, in the government of that outstanding Ghanaian statesman, His Excellency John Agyekum Kuffuor, the second President of Ghana’s 4th republic a historic victory was won in the struggle of the Ghanaian people for liberty and especially for freedom of expression by the repeal of the criminal libel law”.
Repeal of criminal libel law
President Akufo-Addo further extolled his part in expediting the process of repealing the law. He further underscored the conducive and warm climate the repeal has created for journalists to ply their trade.
Furthermore, he lauded the significant achievement the move has brought on the country on the international front.
“I’m proud of the modest role I played in the process of repeal of the criminal libel law. As the Attorney General who piloted the repeal through parliament, I was also responsible for the discontinuation of the then pending prosecutions under the criminal libel law of notable Ghanaian journalists.
“The repeal of the criminal libel law has had a very positive impact on the development of the Ghanaian media freeing it from unnecessary self-censorship and promoting a robust and critical media culture. In the process, it has contributed to the growth of a vibrant media that has won Ghana a reputation of having one of the most media-friendly and liberal climates on the continent”.
Freedom of the press
President Akufo-Addo insisted that the repeal was necessary in the public interest in the country’s “emerging democracy”.
He intimated that it has contributed significantly to “the deepening of democracy in our country”. Also, the President maintained it has helped in enhancing public accountability as “a strategic goal of public policy”.
“The culmination of all these, have meant the Ghanaian citizen, through the presence of a dynamic media, is able to give boldly and freely his or her feedback on policies and programs of government. Civil society groups are able to interrogate fearlessly government’s actions and positions…
“The political opposition, is able to raise dissent openly, canvass for alternative viewpoint and by so doing, offer our citizens alternatives to consider on all key issues of our national discourse”.
Also, the President underscored the need for “diversity and free flow of news and information”. These, he noted, are fundamental to the healthy “workings of any democracy”.
“I thank you the journalists of this country and of this continent for keeping our governments accountable. It is the media above all, that has encouraged our people to become more and more discerning, vocal and questioning as a civic public”.
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