Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader of Parliament, has voiced apprehension regarding the diminishing media freedom under the current government, citing findings from the recent Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.
According to Dr Forson, Ghana's standing on the Press Freedom Index has significantly declined over the years. While the country ranked second in Africa and 26th in the world in 2016, it has slipped to ninth in Africa and 62nd globally in 2023. This concerning trend, he emphasized, raises serious concerns, especially as the nation approaches the 2024 general election.
During his closing remarks at the Parliamentary debate on the President's State of the Nation Address (SONA), Dr Forson highlighted the precarious situation faced by journalists. He lamented that media freedoms have not been spared in the past seven years, noting a marked increase in attacks on journalists and raids on media houses. This crackdown on the media, he argued, represents one of the worst in the history of Ghana's Fourth Republic.
In addition to media freedom, Dr Forson also addressed the issue of corruption within the government. He expressed disappointment in the government's corruption scorecard, echoing concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops Conference about “massive uncontrolled corruption in Ghana.” Dr Forson accused the government of making the fight against corruption a perilous endeavour for anti-corruption crusaders, rather than addressing the issue head-on.
In conclusion, Dr Forson asserted that the true state of the nation reflects the alarming decline in media freedom and the pervasive corruption within the government. These challenges, he emphasized, must be addressed urgently to uphold democratic values and ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
