Former President, John Mahama has extended warm regards to journalists and the media on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.

In a message, the ex-President appreciated the work of the media and urged them to remind and demand the government to stop paying lip service to the Right to Information Act, and also asked relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the journalist in line of duty.

According to Mahama, “when the freedom of the press is curtailed, democracy suffers. And all the other human rights that anchor our dignity as human beings are eroded”.

“Let’s encourage, cherish, and always expand the frontiers of Freedom of the Press in this digital world. We owe it to our great and hardworking journalists – but, first and foremost, we owe it to ourselves”, he said.

He further expressed that “I celebrate the men and women of the press in Ghana and across the globe. The threat of COVID-19 has not daunted your undying spirits. The pandemic has not prevented you from going at great, and sometimes risky lengths to bring us the stories. You have been at the frontline of the fight against the disease. We are grateful to our press men and women.”

Ghana has dropped three places on the World Press Freedom index mainly due to the threats investigative reporters face in the country. The 2020 index put together by campaign group Reporters Without Borders saw Ghana ranking 30 after coming 27 in 2019.

When was Press Freedom Day established?

World Press Freedom Day was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1993.

Despite the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) in Article 19, guaranteeing freedom of expression, the Day was established to “promote independent and pluralistic African Press”, timeanddate.com reports.

Are journalists safe in Ghana?

Although Ghana is widely considered safe for journalists, recent happenings have blemished that tag.

Ahmed Suale, an undercover reporter with Tiger Eye PI was shot by an unknown assailant’s months after he and Anas Aremeyaw Anas and the Tiger Eye group unveiled corruption in the football circles of Ghana.

No prosecution has commenced into the murder despite the police and chief state attorney assuring the public of the same.

Besides that, many journalists have been attacked either by the police or political assignments.