Gordon Asare-Bediako, a seasoned journalist, has laid blame directly at the doorstep of President John Dramani Mahama for the recent arrests and detentions of some social media activists and mainstream journalists.

According to him, President Mahama cannot absolve himself from responsibility, especially when measured against the same standards he once applied to former President Akufo-Addo.

A Kumasi-based Wontumi Radio presenter, Emmanuel Asare Kwakye, has been in police custody for almost two weeks after National Security operatives allegedly bundled him into a vehicle in Ejisu, Kumasi, and transported him to Accra without the knowledge of his employers. About six TikTokers have also been arrested and detained, with two ladies still in custody. In addition, there have been earlier arrests of some journalists in recent months.

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But Gordon insists that the arrests and detentions go beyond the actions of the Inspector-General of Police. “Look, what’s happening is very unfortunate and very surprising. It’s happening under President Mahama, with his express orders,” he alleged.

He recalled that on February 11, 2022, then opposition leader John Mahama wrote an open letter to President Akufo-Addo, directly accusing him of suppressing and criminalising free speech through the arrests of journalists at the time.

Gordon therefore questioned: “If Mr. Mahama in 2022 accused President Akufo-Addo of ordering the arrests and detentions of journalists, why can’t we, by his own words and analogy, accuse him of expressly ordering the arrests and detentions of TikTokers and journalists today?”

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Published below in full is the letter John Mahama wrote to President Akufo-Addo on February 11, 2022.

Dear President Nana Akufo-Addo,

I am appalled at the growing criminalisation of speech and journalism in Ghana, under your watch, in this 21st century.

An investigative journalist was murdered, under very troubling circumstances. Yet, while the Ghanaian people and the international community have demanded justice, Government’s inability or unwillingness to act is obvious to all. The police have virtually shelved the investigations into this brutal murder.

There have also been several disturbing incidents of harassment of journalists in the line of duty; we have witnessed media establishments closed down on your instructions, despite many appeals to you.

Now, in a space of less than two weeks, four people have suffered police action, criminalizing their right to free speech. As Attorney General, at the time, who led the repeal of the criminal libel law, in order that citizens could freely express their views, it is unconscionable to be suppressing the rights and criminalising the speech of citizens and journalists. It is even more worrying when the power of the state is used as a pliant tool in this intimidating endeavour.

Radio and TV presenter Captain Smart was dragged from court, and although he had been granted bail, sent into detention. Another radio presenter, Oheneba Boamah Bennie, has been incarcerated for statements he allegedly made. A civil society activist was arrested, detained, sent to court on criminal charges, granted bail and yet detained again for making a statement against you, President Akufo-Addo.

As if to suggest insincerity behind the serious decriminalization of speech that you led, another radio presenter, Bobie Ansah, has been arrested, detained and charged– criminalized for speaking and making allegations against your wife.

Again, last week, security personnel linked to your party brutalized a radio presenter and producer in the city of Takoradi. Such lawless attacks have today become common occurrences in our country.
President Akufo-Addo, you cannot continue to oppress the people, criminalize speech when these matters are essentially civil in nature, if you feel offended by them.

It is even more sad that the Journalists Association and its senior members, many of our clergy and other moral leaders, scared because of the oppressive and dictatorial regime you are running, have remained quiet in the face of this disturbing development in our maturing democracy.

This is a dangerous blueprint you are fashioning for our dear nation and it must not be encouraged. Your actions as President have totally discredited your self-acquired accolade as a human rights lawyer and activist. Ghana has long emerged from the unfortunate past where journalists were cowed by incarceration and brutalization.

I fear that if you do not take immediate action to arrest this unfortunate trend, when you exit the high office of President in January 2025, freedom of speech and a free media will certainly not be counted as part of the legacy you leave behind.

Your brother,

John Dramani Mahama.

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