Journalists across the country have been assured of a conducive environment as they go about their duties as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, President John Dramani Mahama has said.
As a committed member of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mahama said it will not be under his watch that journalists will seek asylum elsewhere because of threats to their lives due to their work.
He reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to free, safe and efficient media, indicating there is no way he will tolerate any form of intimidation, interference or attack on practitioners.
President who has been applauded both in the past and present for accepting dissenting view and criticisms said under his stewardship he will ensure journalists practice their profession without fear or favour.
His position is a clear departure from the government he succeeded which made the practice of journalism a difficult task.
Quoting from Ghana’s first President Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s speech to back his committement to media freedom he said “My administration will uphold that vigilance to safeguard press freedom, to protect journalists and ensure that it remains the foundation of governance.
Under my government, no journalist would have to flee into exile for fear of their lives. Together, government, media and citizens we can build the Ghana that is ethical in governance, honest in speech peaceful in spirit and united and purpose. May the pen always remain mightier than fear, may truth continue to light our path and may God continue to bless our homeland Ghana”.
Under that administration, the likes of investigative journalist, Manasseh Azuri Awuni, David Tamakloe, had to flee out of the country for fear of their lives after breaking a number of stories that brought the image of the government into disrepute.
Another investigative journalist, Ahmed Hussein Suale with the Tiger Eye investigative team, was assassinated after a legislator and now presidential hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ken Agyapong, displayed his face on live television and instructed that he be beaten.
Later he was shot around his house at Madina in Accra while returning from work. Suale was working with award-wining journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and more than 6 years on, his killers are yet to be found and brought to justice.
Anas himself whose principle of investigative journalism trumpeted in opposition by then opposition leader Akufo-Addo found himself wanting after the NPP came to power. For years, he failed to come out with any investigative piece after he was dragged to court by Ken Agyapong.
By Gifty Boateng
Communities That Attack Officials Fighting ‘Galamsey’ Will Be Punished-Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama, has warned mining communities that attack government officials and security personnel on duties working to stop illegal mining popularly known as galamsey, will be dealt with.
The President said this at the 29 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA)/KJL media awards on Saturday November 8 at the Manhyia Palace, in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
Giving the keynote address, the President expressed strong exception to the trend, citing the recent case at a mining site near Obuasi where a team of officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and some journalists were attacked.
“I wish to notify communities that attack public officials and security personnel, performing their lawful duties that firm actions will be taken against them”, he said.
The team led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the EPA, Prof Nana Ama Browns Klutse, had stormed the area on Thursday November 6, to stop illegal mining activities but they were met heavily armed illegal security men.
Sensing danger, the security details of the team advised that they retract. While fleeing from the scene, the convoy was involved in a near fatal accident close to Afari.
Victims, TheNewRepublic gathered, suffered head, thigh injuries and body pains and so they have admitted at different hospitals in the region. According to the President, after learning about the incident, he assigned the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah to get in touch with the victims and settle their hospital bails.
“Yesterday upon receipt of the news, I instructed the Chief of Staff to contact the journalists that were injured to check on their health and assist settling their hospital bills incurred”.
While admitting the desperation of the youth to find jobs, he said it is wrong to do that illegal means. He went on to outline some of the measures government was putting in place to tackle the huge unemployed rate.
“I can understand that young people have been deprived opportunities but destroying the environment is like cutting off your nose to spite your face.
The government is working hard to stabilize and grow the economic in order to create a conducive environment for job creation and employment and that is why we are implementing the 24-hour initiative, the Feed Ghana programme, the poultry revitalization programme, the national apprenticeship programme, the million coders programme among others which are intended to create opportunities for alternative livelihoods especially for the young people in rural areas”, he enumerated.
The President used the opportunity to commend the media especially those who have dedicated their lives to avail themselves for this fight under a very difficult circumstances, promising not to give up on the fight against illegal mining.
“I wish to commend journalists like Erastus Asare Donkor, my dear brother Ohemeng who just won Best Reporter on Illegal Mining and many others who persist in exposing environmental crimes at great personal risks to themselves. Your bravery is noted, it patriotic and your efforts is to strengthen our moral reserve to continue the fight against illegal mining. I wish to assure as your President that I will never never give up the fight”.
He stressed that as a President, he will continue to create conducive environment for media practice, indicating he will not preside over a government where journalists will be flying out of the country to seek refuge.
Quoting one of Ghana’s first president Dr Kwame Nkrumah speeches, that appreciated the role of the media, Mahama said “My administration will uphold that vigilance to safeguard press freedom, to protect journalists and ensure that it remains the foundation of governance.
Under my government, no journalist would have to flee into exile for fear of their lives. Together, government, media and citizens we can build the Ghana that is ethical in governance, honest in speech peaceful in spirit and united and purpose. May the pen always remain mightier than fear, may truth continue to light our path and may God continue to bless our homeland Ghana”.
Meanwhile, Media General’s Godwin Asediba, has been adjudged the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Journalist of the Year. The broadcast journalist who is on an internship with the BBC had his speech read and plaque received on his behalf by colleagues.
By Gifty Boateng