The Member of Parliament for Tamale South and Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu has made a compelling call for greater media regulation and increased tolerance in Ghana’s political and public discourse.
Addressing Parliament, he emphasized the need for a comprehensive Broadcasting Bill to establish clear guidelines for media operations and to uphold freedom of expression in the country.
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu underscored the critical role of tolerance in sustaining peace and freedom of speech, stressing that intolerance has led to attacks on journalists, police intimidation, and increasing political hostilities.
“Mr. Speaker, if there is tolerance, you won’t have journalists being murdered. If there is tolerance, you won’t have journalists being invited by the police CID for comments they have made. If there is tolerance, even Members of Parliament here won’t be at each other’s throats”.
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and Minister of Education
The Tamale South MP further elaborated on the principle of free speech, emphasizing that while every individual has a right to express their opinion, others also have the right to choose whether to listen.
“Hon. Asenso Ochere has a right to speak. If he speaks, I also have the choice not to listen. But with respect, I should recognize that he has a right to speak.”
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and Minister of Education
The Broadcasting Bill: A Long Overdue Necessity
Highlighting the absence of a regulatory framework for the media landscape in Ghana, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu recalled that a draft Broadcasting Bill had been proposed a decade ago under the tenure of Hon. Mahama Ayariga as Minister of Information.
“What is lacking in Ghana is a Broadcasting Bill. The parameters must be drawn. Take GBC, for instance. Are they a state broadcaster? Are they a public broadcaster? We don’t know”.
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and Minister of Education
He stressed that defining media institutions’ roles and funding mechanisms is critical for ensuring accountability and efficiency, stating, “GBC must be situated to be like BBC. How is it financed? Then we should have private broadcasters like we do, and community radios that serve the specific needs of their localities.”
The Threat of Social Media Misinformation
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu also raised concerns about the dangers of unregulated social media, which he described as a toxic environment where misinformation thrives.
“Social media has become a toxic source of misinformation, and people enjoy it. They enjoy some of the things we trade, running down reputation and integrity without due cause”.
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and Minister of Education
Drawing from personal wisdom imparted by his mother, he advised restraint in public discourse: “Your tongue is like a bullet. When it fires out the word, you can’t arrest it again. Even in domestic conflict, what husbands tell wives, what wives tell husbands—you say it, and in a second, you regret it. Because your word becomes your bullet.”
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu criticized the culture of constant political attacks, noting that politicians often engage in heated rhetoric even when elections are years away.
“We are still talking as if we are politicking and doing a campaign, as if there is an election tomorrow,” he observed. He called for a more measured approach to political discourse and urged stakeholders to acknowledge the contributions of past and present leaders to Ghana’s democratic progress.
He cautioned against using state institutions to suppress dissent, criticizing the Ghana Police Service for summoning individuals over their public comments.
“The CID police—somebody makes a comment, then they invite him to CID and explain. And then he is under arrest. All these are threats to the fundamental human right to freedom of expression.”
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and Minister of Education
NMC vs. NCA : A Turf War
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu also pointed out the ongoing conflict between the National Media Commission (NMC) and the National Communications Authority (NCA), questioning the division of responsibilities between the two bodies.
“Who controls radio communication? Who allocates frequencies? It is not for nothing that in the legislation, we said that the NMC must sit on the board of the NCA.” .
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and Minister of Education
He criticized Parliament’s failure to allocate sufficient funds to the NMC, citing the struggles of its Executive Secretary, George Sarpong, in securing resources to effectively monitor the media landscape.
“Every budget hearing, even during elections, when he needed money to monitor who was saying what, and who was doing what, we don’t provide adequate funding”.
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and Minister of Education
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu concluded his address by calling for political tolerance, media regulation, and institutional support for press freedom.
“The constitution guarantees the independence of the media, yet there is political interference and intolerance. Let’s respect and uphold the freedoms enshrined in our democracy”.
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and Minister of Education
His remarks serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Ghana’s media landscape and the urgent need for legislative reforms to ensure press freedom, responsible journalism, and tolerance in national discourse.
