Ghana's Minority Leader and Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin has warned against the shrinking space for free expression in the country. He urged authorities to protect journalists and citizens from intimidation over their views. Afenyo-Markin made the statement at the 30th Ghana Journalists Awards in Accra on Saturday, November 7. He emphasized that democracy must go beyond the existence of media organisations and social media platforms.
Afenyo-Markin cautioned against a return to a culture where legitimate criticism of those in power is suppressed. He stressed that a functioning democracy must allow opposition politicians to criticise the government without being treated as enemies of the state. The Minority Leader questioned the use of criminal law against people for expressing their views. He drew on the writings of Ghana's former Prime Minister, Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia.
Professor Busia warned in 1965 that suppressing legitimate channels of opposition could have serious consequences for Ghana's democratic development. Afenyo-Markin noted that Busia understood that development without liberty was incomplete. He stressed that economic progress could not substitute for the fundamental freedoms of speech, association and assembly. The Minority Leader recalled former President John Agyekum Kufuor's 2001 State of the Nation Address.
In his 2001 address, President Kufuor pledged to expand freedom of expression by repealing laws criminalising speech. Afenyo-Markin said the subsequent repeal of the criminal libel and sedition laws was a significant step towards strengthening Ghana's democracy and liberating the media landscape. This move allowed the media to operate more freely and critically.
Afenyo-Markin emphasized that freedom and responsibility must work together, particularly in the digital age. He noted that the media must balance the exercise of press freedom with the need to combat hate speech. The Minority Leader stated that silence protects the comfortable and abandons the vulnerable. This statement resonated with the theme of the 30th Ghana Journalists Awards.
The 30th Ghana Journalists Awards was held under the theme, “Celebrating excellence, advancing media freedom and combating hate speech in the digital age.” The event recognized the contributions of journalists and media organisations in promoting democracy and freedom of expression in Ghana. Afenyo-Markin's speech highlighted the importance of protecting media freedom.
The Minority Leader's warning against a return to a culture of silence is significant in the context of Ghana's democratic development. His call for the protection of media freedom and the promotion of free expression is crucial for the country's continued progress. As Ghana continues to navigate the complexities of democracy, Afenyo-Markin's statement serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding fundamental freedoms.
Key points
- Alexander Afenyo-Markin warns against the shrinking space for free expression in Ghana.
