DOUALA WORKSHOP – 16TH OCTORBER 2003

COUNTRY REPORT – THE MEDIA IN GHANA TODAY

The media in Ghana after the exit of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) headed by former President Rawlings has metamaphosed into a phenomenun worthy of study by all lovers of free expression and objectivity.

During the run off to the 2000 elections it became a campaign issue for then candidate Kuffour of the NPP that when he comes into power he and his party would abolish the criminal libel law. If you have been following political events in Ghana, you may recollect that it was under this obnoxious Law that unrepentant critics of Jerry Rawlings like Kwaku Baako of the Crusading Guide and Harunah Atta then of the Stateman were imprisoned.

It therefore came as a big relief when President Kuffour on assumption of office caused the repeal of that law from the statute books which by all standards was a threat to press freedom.

He was hailed by the media and human right activists nationwide. This was followed by his periodical meet-the press briefings and for once people felt they now have a President who listens and cares about their welfare.

With the absence of the criminal libel law, investigative Journalists like Kwesi Pratt of the Weekly Insight and Kofi Koomson of the Chronicle had a field day treading where others feared. To them, if the media was critical of the Rawlings Government, Kuffour’s NPP should not be spared either since the constitution itself empowers the press to play a watchdog role.

Unknown to many journalists the repealed criminal libel law has been cleverly replaced with the civil libel law. The civil libel law is as terrible as it cousin, the criminal libel law. The only difference is that where as one could go to prison under the criminal libel law, an aggrieved public official or individual under the civil libel law could sue a publisher for defamation and if found guilty, he or she could end up with a fine twice his/her business capital and jeopardize ones chances of being in business in the first place.

What then is the difference? Both Laws are tools at the disposal of corrupt officials to stifle press freedom. As if that was not enough, the Kuffour Government has made it mandatory for all newspapers to register their publications after unsuccessful attempts to smear troublesome Journalist like Kwesi Pratt with allegations of bribery.

In conclusion, I wish to place on record that the press in Ghana today is divided more than ever. The division, unfortunately are along political lines. Those for the ruling NPP party and those for the NDC opposition party.

The Statesman, Daily Graphic, Times Daily Guide, Evening news and the Crusading Guide will support and defend government’s position on any issue no matter what.

The Democrat, just like the afore mentioned papers will defend the NDC no matter what. The only newspapers without biases today according to studies conducted by the Center for Democracy & Development (CDD) headed by Dr. Agyeman Duah, a political & social commentator whose views are well respected are:
· The Dispatch
· Voice
· Independence
· Public Agenda
· Chronicle &
· The Insight

Whether or not the Infant Democracy we are currently nurturing will succeed, will depend to a large extent on the role of the media and how it plays it.

Thank you,
IKE ESSEL
CARTOONISTS ASSOCIATION OF GHANA

 

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