World Press Freedom Index: Ghana’s Drop: Shameful Retrogression – UPDN

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Ghana’s drop from 27 to 30 in the 2020 World Press Freedom Index report prepared by Reporters Without Borders is an obvious manifestation of how worsened or bad the safety of Journalists is, in the Republic.

Ghana was adjudged freest press (first) in Africa and twenty-third (23) in the world in 2018 but lost to Namibia in 2019. Our press freedom credentials among others enhanced the country’s nod to host the 2018 World Press Freedom Day in Accra.

Quick outlook of Ghana’s Performance (credit: Reporters Without Borders)

Year Rank(World) Score

2013 30th 17.27
2014 27th 16.29
2015 22nd 15.50
2016 26th 17.95
2018 23rd 18.41
2019 27th 20.18
2020 30th 22.26

United Press for Development Network (UPDN) is extremely shocked, disheartened and disgusted at the spate at which violence against Journalists/Media Assistants is on the raise and how Government and stakeholders deal with the various cases.

Journalists continue to be vulnerable to brutal attacks, which are perpetrated with gross impunity. This vicious and shameful act is mostly led by Security Agencies (Police, Military etc.), Government Officials, Political Party Sympathizers, aggrieved youth among others.

UPDN condemns in all uncertainty terms the heightening of brutality and assaults meted out to media practitioners in the Republic of Ghana.

This act of sickening disregard of rule of law, press freedom and impunity by lawless law enforcers if not checked without delay will render Ghana’s efforts in the battle against COVID-19 and freedom of expression redundant.

COVID-19 PERIOD: MEDIA ASSAULT

We thought the common enemy is the Novel Corona virus and Security officials (Government) will implore the fourth estate of the realm to fight the virus either than resulting to unethical, unprofessional, barbaric and dastardly acts that weakens our democratic values and has the potential or tendency to discourage and deter investors from investing even after COVID-19.

This demonic notoriousness and show of bravado is a hindrance to Ghana’s economic gains and we call on the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Force, President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo to give it a rapid attention.

As a fearless but responsible and law abiding Press Freedom and Media advocacy group, we are by this release demanding that the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Armed Force officials who shamelessly brutalized the following Journalists be brought to book immediately:

a) Name: Hayford Sarpong
Media Org.: Kencity Media (Net2 TV, Oman FM, Ashh FM)
Date: 31st March, 2020
Location: Atimatim Taabuom
District: Afigya Kwabre South District
Region: Ashanti Region
By: Police Officials led by Inspector Robert

b) Name: Hon. Christian Adu Poku
Org.: District Chief Executive
Date: 31st March, 2020
Location: Atimatim Taabuom
District: Afigya Kwabre South District
Region: Ashanti Region
By: Police Officials led by Inspector Robert

c) Name: John Opoku
Org.: District Information Technology Officer
Date: 31st March, 2020
Location: Atimatim Taabuom
District: Afigya Kwabre South District
Region: Ashanti Region
By: Police Officials led by Inspector Robert

d) Name: Yussif Abdul Ganiyu
Media Org.: Zuria Fm also DW TV Correspondent
Date: 5th April, 2020
Location: Aboabo-Akorem
Municipal: Asokore Mampong Municipal
Region: Ashanti Region By: Military

e) Name: Samuel Adobah
Media Org.: TV Africa
Date: 10th April, 2020
Location: Olebu
Municipal: Ga Central Municipal Region: Ashanti Region
By: Military (Operation Calm Life)

Ghana must do more to recapture it press freedom and freedom of expression credentials in Africa and the entire world.

Defend Press Freedom

Stop Press Attacks

Long live Press Freedom

Kofi Asante Mensah
President
0244690262
0302965325

Kelvin Malor
National Organizer
0245995541

Statement No: UPDN/2020/1099
Issued Date: April 21, 2020

By: Radio1News|Ghana