A presenter with Kumasi-based Wontumi Television, Gordon Asare-Bediako, has expressed disappointment in President John Dramani Mahama over what he termed as selective justice against political opponents.

According to him, it is surprising that although the president is a member of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), he has allowed the police to carry out what appears to be unfair treatment against members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Speaking to GhanaWeb TV at a demonstration dubbed “Yen Suro Ahunahuna” held by the NPP on Tuesday, September 23, Asare-Bediako claimed that during a recent GJA voting exercise, he saw President Mahama’s name listed among those eligible to vote.

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So, he found it shocking that someone affiliated to an association which condemns the culture of silence and promotes free speech would remain silent while presenters and journalists are being maltreated.

He claimed that under the current administration, anyone with a microphone or mobile phone is at risk of arrest, as free speech appears to have been criminalised under the incumbent government.

“Wontumi Multimedia in Kumasi has been shut down under the express order of President Mahama. Why? Because we are dissenting voices. We criticise him. We challenge him. We remind him not to go against the social contract he signed with the people of Ghana. That is why our three radio stations have been shut down. That is why I am here today.

“If I offend you or defame you, you have every right as an individual to sue me in court for defamation. So why are they criminalising speech? Why are they arresting people under the guise of criminal prosecution? Somebody insults you, and they interpret it as creating fear and panic. Who does that? If someone insults you, take the person to court,” he said.

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Asare Bediako further expressed his disappointment that President Mahama, a registered member of the Ghana Journalists Association, would preside over such actions.

“About four months ago, we went to the polls. I voted. I don’t know whether he voted, but his name was on the list as a member of the Ghana Journalists Association. Why should this be happening under his regime? He should be the last person to allow these things to happen.”

When asked whether he would be more cautious with his words going forward, Asare-Bediako responded: “I’ve always been cautious. But you can never be cautious under this government. If they want to arrest you, no matter what you say, they will arrest you.”

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He cited a recent example involving a woman named AY, who was mistakenly arrested.

“Authorities claimed they were searching for someone named “Jollof,” but AY—who is from the Volta Region—was clearly not the person in question. Despite this, she was detained for more than three days,” he stated.

“Under this presidency, you can never be careful unless it’s your turn,” he added.

Watch the video below:



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