Incompetent Akufo-Addo must bring back media freedom – Hanna Bisiw jabs

The National Women’s Organiser of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Hanna Bisiw has described the Akufo-Addo government as a “corrupt” and “wicked” administration which has cowed journalists and stolen media freedom in Ghana.

Dr. Bisiw, who had joined thousands of Ghanaians to protest the hardships and high cost of living, said the Akufo-Addo government has entrenched insecurity and fear among journalists, whom, she claimed, can no longer speak and work in freedom.

“We’re protesting against the hardship, the insecurity in our country, the thievery in our country, the corruption in our country, the cluelessness of the government we have in place”, the former deputy Agric Minister said.

Tuesday’s demonstration dubbed ‘Kum Yen Preko’ which means ‘Kill us once and for all’ was organized by the Coalition for Social Justice in Accra. The leaders of the march said they were rising against the economic hardship, insecurity, and corruption that is pervasive in the Akufo-Addo government.

But Dr. Bisiw was much concerned about the closure of some radio stations by the government and attacks on some journalists in recent times, which has resulted in some pressmen losing their voices.

Asking the president to give the media back its freedom, she said, “When you say the president is corrupt or the government is corrupt, you guys [media] say it’s an allegation…Your media freedom has been stolen, so, now you people are even afraid to get the very opinion of Ghanaians.”

She made a reference to the closure of pro-opposition radio stations such as Radio Gold and XYZ by the government as well as some other stations across the country which has resulted in hundreds losing their jobs.

“I want to remind you that per the president’s stolen speech at his inauguration day, he said we should be citizens and not spectators. So, the media, start working as citizens; stop the ‘fear fear’ things.

“This is a corrupt government, this is a wicked government, this is a mean government, that’s why taxes are high: there’s toilet tax, borla tax. Today, markets are collapsing, today the education system is down, the security in this country is also no more. What we are saying is that we want our security back, and you the press, you’re those who inform us, we want your freedom back”, she demanded in an interview with Class News.

Some of the placards carried by the demonstrators have inscriptions such as: “2020 we go show Nana” and “Akufo-Addo drop that chamber now”. Others had the inscription “Bring Back Radio Gold”, “Bring Back Radio XYZ”.