The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has expressed deep concern over Ghana’s declining position on the World Press Freedom (WPF) Index.
Speaking during a visit to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), the Speaker emphasized that after 30 years of parliamentary democracy in Ghana, the country should be in a better state in terms of freedom of expression.
Rt. Hon. Bagbin stated, “After 30 years of parliamentary democracy in Ghana, freedom of expression should be in a better shape than it is now. Ghana must not be retrogressing when it comes to freedom of the press while democracy is on the ascendancy.”
Ghana’s decline in press freedom rankings has been a cause for concern. According to the recently released report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Ghana dropped from 60th place last year to 62nd in 2023. This marks the country’s worst performance in 18 years since it ranked 66th in 2005. In a shocking drop, Ghana previously fell from the 30th to the 60th position in 2021.
The Speaker of Parliament highlighted the importance of improving Ghana’s rating in the area of media freedom and freedom of expression. He affirmed that Parliament intends to collaborate with the media and other stakeholders to address this decline and work towards enhancing Ghana’s standing.
The visit to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation is part of Parliament’s commemoration of 30 years of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy in Ghana, under the theme “Thirty years of parliamentary democracy under the Fourth Republic: the journey thus far.”
Rt. Hon. Bagbin expressed his worry over Ghana’s position in the World Press Freedom Index, noting that even countries like Burkina Faso, under military rulers who have imposed restrictions on news and deported foreign journalists, performed better than Ghana.
“Today, Burkina Faso under military rulers, who have banned local retransmission of international news, and deported foreign journalists, still performed better than Ghana. Namibia (22) South Africa (25), Cape Verde (33), Seychelles (34), the Gambia (46), Ivory Coast (54), Burkina Faso (58), and Niger (61) were all ranked ahead of Ghana,” he said.
The Speaker emphasized that the welfare of Ghanaian journalists plays a crucial role in the country’s rating by Reporters Without Borders.
“We cannot continue to pretend all is well. Serious consideration must be given to how to ensure that the media is really unfettered not just in its access to information, but also in its condition of service.”
Rt. Hon. Bagbin stressed that all three branches of government – the executive, judiciary, and legislature – must collaborate to secure and guarantee media freedom and freedom of expression. He highlighted the detrimental consequences of their absence, including impacts on the separation of powers, fundamental human rights, parliament’s oversight responsibilities, and good governance.
“Establishing the connection between press freedom, free expression, democracy, and national development is necessary. Holding those in authority accountable, exposing corruption and the abuse of power, and fostering transparency and good governance are all made possible by a free press.
It is our duty to protect freedom of expression and by extension, the journalists, despite the infractions that come with journalism at times; but do we have any other choice? Certainly not. As Thomas Jefferson, the former US President said, if he had to choose between a government without newspapers, and newspapers without a government, he will not hesitate a moment to choose newspapers without a government. He was making a strong point for freedom of expression,” Mr Speaker retorted.
