Akufo-Addo’s Struggle with Press Freedom: Mahama Secures Superior Ranking

Ghana’s 2024 global press freedom index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) paints a grim picture for President Akufo-Addo’s administration, as the country tumbles to the 50th position out of 180 nations.

This position starkly contrasts with Ghana’s 2016 ranking of 26 out of 180 countries, highlighting a significant decline under Akufo-Addo’s leadership.

Critics argue that Akufo-Addo’s governance has tightened control over media freedom and restricted civil liberties, with an increase in journalist arrests and prosecutions compared to all past administrations combined.

This shift towards a more oppressive media environment has raised concerns among advocates for press freedom.

Reaching a crescendo, Akufo-Addo’s rule has been shadowed by controversial arrests of journalists under laws like the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and the Electronic Communications Act 776, citing false news as grounds for detainment.

The dark cloud over media freedom deepened with the tragic assassination of investigative journalist Ahmed Hussein Suale in 2019 and the forced exile of Manasseh Azure Awuni, a prominent investigative journalist fearing for his life.

Akufo-Addo’s government has also sparked widespread criticism for shutting down radio stations, particularly those aligned with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), solidifying perceptions of heightened crackdowns on dissenting voices in the media landscape.