Are The Rights Of Ordinary Ghanaians To Speak Their Minds Freely On National Issues Non-Negotiable?

This piece is meant to support and encourage those working at Modernghana.com. They must not succumb to any external pressure meant to cow them. One thanks them for the very important work they do, which enables their online platform to empower  ordinary people  to air their views publicly, on a regular basis.

In light of recent events, however, one hopes that their news-gathering methods will be reviewed, to reflect a stronger commitment to ethical journalism practice, if that is needed going forward.

Having said that, if it is any comfort to their hardworking team, those at Modernghana.com can rest assured that many discerning minds in Ghana are skeptical about the official narrative,  as regards  what actually occurred, when some of their staff members were detained recently.

Speaking personally, and very much aware of bush-telegraph stories alleging that  our national security apparatus has been jam-packed with thuggish-myrmidons from the private militias (masquerading as private security companies allegedly) belonging to powerful New Patriotic Party  (NPP) hardliners,  I am pretty sure that their colleagues  were physically abused as they allege. 

If that indeed occurred  then that is just so unfair and unprofessional on the part of those in our national security apparatus who apparently did so. One hopes that at the very least, an internal enquiry will be carried out,  to establish the truth. Nothing can justify such barbarism in a nation in which most citizens want the rule of law to underpin the internal workings of society.

Those who brutalised the Modernghana.com staff members who were recently  detained, have let Ghanaians (as well as President Akufo-Addo personally)  down terribly, by acting in a despicable manner that dents our nation's global reputation as a stable and peaceful African democracy, in which there is press freedom and a pluralistic media landscape exists.

Finally, for the information of those in charge of our national security apparatus, when it comes to speaking one's mind freely on societal issues, no one in this country can cow today's active Ghanaian citizen. If they were to consult President Akufo-Addo,  he will tell them that  the right of Ghanaians to speak their minds freely on national issues is non-negotiable. Full stop. Haaba.