In most democratic countries in the world freedom of the press is protected as an inalienable right. In Ghana for example the freedom of the press is enshrined in the 1992 constitution chapter 12 article 162. In the United States of America freedom of the press is enshrined in the First Amendment of her Constitution.
In Ghana under the Akufo Addo’s government, the so-called apostles of democracy, investigative journalism is moribund.
Journalists especially the ones who concentrated on the investigative aspect of it did their work with passion and pride sometime in the past. This is not to say their journey to uncover the ills and rots associated with governance was smooth. It will be recalled that during the days of President J. A. Kufour, the works of investigative journalists uncovered forged signatures and dubious deals involving an MP who doubled as deputy minister for Presidential Affairs in the office of the President which culminated in this man resigning from his position.
Another case in point was that a party chairman still in the days of President Kufuor was implicated when he said President Kufuor received kickbacks in the form of cash in huge bags at the Presidency from people who were favoured with juicy contracts. The resultant effect was that this man failed in his reelection bid. Thanks to the work of an investigative journalist with the Chronicle Newspaper.
Yet again, these undercover journalists took their trade a step higher when news emerged that former President Kufuor himself held the lion’s share of follies of the time; he was accused of an extra marital affair and had fathered twins with a certain woman in the person of Giselle Yazji. In 2007, a cocaine story uncovered involving those within the corridors of power and this indeed, led to a major shake up which made the government very unpopular. The good news is that these journalists were not harassed and intimidated under Kufour.
Then came the government of Late President Mills where investigative journalists operated with free will. They had more room to sanction their work and no wonder the TOR rot and related crimes were unraveled. [Where journalists could nose no scintilla of evidence against the good old Mills, then he had to suffer insults or verbal abuse by some journalists.]
In the case of the government of the political prophet, HE former JDM, investigative journalists live in the Oasis of Media Freedom. Anas Arimeyaw Anas went a notch higher and his pièce de résistance in investigative journalism was the judicial scandal that shook the nation to the core. Mr. Manasseh Azure Awuni did not also rest on his oars. He was the brain behind the GYEEDA scandal and even the so-called Ford Explorer or Expedition, the sins of Zoomlion, etc. The magnanimous President JDM was first among equals to buy a book authored by Manasseh. This is to signal that President Mahama likes and worships the works of investigative journalism. He will be the last to supervise the extinction of their exalted job. (Profession)
Today, under the lip service of President Akufo Addo, investigative journalism (is) in a sorry state. Anas Arimeyaw Anas and his group have been badly reduced to objects of ridicule. They are intimidated now and then because they will not sing praises of the Akufo Addo government.
Ahmed Suale died in his line of transparent duty and nothing has come out of it from this government. Anas Arimeyaw Anas himself continue to suffer persecution because he did a certain number 12 on association football and things to do with galamsey. Manasseh Azure Awuni had (to) flee out of his country of birth because his life was under threat. Erastus Asare Donko is no free man either because he does investigative journalism. In terms of media freedom Ghana has been abysmally ranked low.
Undercover journalists in the vocabulary of HE Akufo Addo and his government are now known as undercover terrorists. The NPP government led by Akufo Addo and Mahamudu Bawamiah in the run up to 2016 general elections promised the good of Ghana they will Anas Arimeyaw Anas principle to fight corruption, is that what we are seeing now?
Comrades let’s work hardest and take back the Ghana everybody wants.
The Author is a former TEIN President, UEW and current Deputy Communications Director of the NDC, Bolgatanga Central Constituency.