The Alliance for Change (AFC), a pressure group has appealed to the judiciary to always endeavour to err on the side of freedom of expression. The AFC said that when free speech dies Ghana's democracy dies.

This was contained in a message read on its behalf by Mr Kwesi Pratt Jnr, a founding member, at a vigil in solidarity with the two jailed newspaper editors, The two jailed editors, Mr Haruna Atta and Mr Kweku Baako Jnr, editors of the "Statesman" and the "Crusading Guide" respectively, were jailed for 30 days each by the Appeal Court last month for contempt of court.

The contempt case stemmed from a libel suit brought against the newspapers, their editors and publishers by Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the First Lady and President of the 31st December Women's Movement.

The vigil organised by Friends of Freedom of Expression, was attended by journalists, lawyers and sympathisers of the media. The group said considering the intolerance exhibited by certain government appointees and their intention to strangulate the press, it behoves the courts to protect journalists who speak their mind without malice.

AFC said the nation needs genuine, vigorous and healthy debate to shape her political, social and economic aspirations. It said the imposition of harsh monetary and custodial sentences of journalists would seriously undermine the country's democratic culture.

Mr Atuquaye Okai, President of the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), asked the courts to temper justice with mercy in matters that concern literary works. He said the social benefits of free expression should be considered before legalities are invoked.

The International Federation of Journalists faxed a message to the vigil urging the courts not to live under the shadow of the executive. It said political considerations should not take precedence over judicial matters lest the nation loses its democratic culture.