Closure of radio stations must be condemned – John Mahama

As the world marks World Press Freedom today [Sunday, May 3, 2020], former president John Dramani Mahama is urging successive governments to abandon the closure of radio stations that scrutinize them.

John Mahama said in a statement:

“Let us rise up and speak against the dictatorial withdrawal of radio frequencies and closure of radio stations by the government of Nana Akufo-Addo.”

Mr. Mahama said the occasion also requires Ghanaians to demand that government “stops paying lip services to the Right to Information Act.”

He also touched on the fact that Ghana has slipped downwards when it comes to performing on the radio freedom beneath this current “`government.

“We have unfortunately lost this priceless status that made all of us very proud. This should worry us- not only journalists and media owners but all of us, as citizens and as Ghanaians,” Mr Mahama said.

The former President further pointed out that “just as the press performs a civic service to all of us, we [Ghanaians] also have a civic duty towards it- namely, to always defend and be ready to fight for the freedom of the press.”