Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, addressed the alarming issues surrounding press freedom in West Africa during the University of Ghana (UG) Alumni Lecture on Thursday, September 19, 2024, in Accra. Themed “30 Years of Parliamentary Democracy: The Journey Thus Far,” the event explored the state of media freedom in the West African region.
Speaker Bagbin expressed deep concern over the increasing cases of journalists facing arrests, detentions, and even torture at the hands of state agencies in West Africa. He identified security forces as the primary offenders in these violations, underscoring the systematic attacks on the media and the lack of accountability in most cases.
He also contrasted these troubling developments with Ghana’s relatively strong record on press freedom, acknowledging the country’s success while warning of the risk of reversing its progress.
“While recent incidents have marred our image, Ghana’s press freedom remains commendable. However, there is a danger of undoing the gains made by our citizens and Parliament.”
Despite these challenges, the Speaker expressed confidence in Ghana’s democratic framework, emphasizing its ability to address and resolve instances of autocratic behavior.
“I strongly believe our robust democratic system is capable of correcting such acts of autocracy.”
Speaker Bagbin’s remarks, delivered as Ghana celebrates three decades of parliamentary democracy, highlighted both the successes and ongoing challenges in safeguarding media freedom and democratic principles in Ghana and across the West African region.
The UG Alumni Lecture provided an important platform for discussing these critical issues, reinforcing the role of academic institutions in fostering meaningful conversations on democracy, accountability, and transparency.
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Story by: Promise Yaa Dakey | universnews.ug.edu.gh
