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Supreme Court excessively gagging free expression- NDC
"We are unable to reconcile our claim of a free democratic state in which the rights of citizens are paramount with such excessive censure of the right to free expression"
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A statement signed by party chairman Kofi Portuphy said,
The three, Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn, and Salifu Maase, alias Mugabe. were found guilty of contempt. A statement issued on Wednesday evening, and signed by the party’s Chairman, Kofi Portuphy, said though they respect the verdict of the court “the party is extremely disappointed and saddened by the severity and harshness of the punishments imposed on them.”
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The party also cannot comprehend how the apex court
The two panellists during a discussion on Montie FM threatened to kill judges of the Supreme Court. The judge who presided over the case, Sophia Akuffo handed them a four-month prison sentence along with a fine of GHc 10,000 each. The four directors of Network Broadcasting Limited, owners of Montie FM; Ato Ahwoi, Edward Addo, Kwesi Kyei Atuah, and Kwesi Bram Addo, are also to pay a fine of GHc 30,000.
Owner of Zeze media (frequency owners of Montie FM 100.1) Harry Zakuor, is also to pay a separate fine of GHc 30,000. The statement concludes by calling on all members of the NDC to exercise restraint and also draw lessons from this matter. “The National Democratic Congress strongly associates itself with all well-meaning Ghanaians who have condemned the judgment of the court. We call on the millions of supporters of the National Democratic Congress to exercise restraint and refrain from any conduct that will undermine the peace of the country. The party also calls on all to draw lessons from this unfortunate event.”
In 2013 during the famous election petition two people a journalist Ken Kuranche and a political commentator Stephen Atubiga were jailed for comments made on the case deemed contemptuous by the Supreme Court
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Below is the NDC’s full statement
THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS CONDEMNS JAILING OF A JOURNALIST AND TWO PANELISTS BY THE SUPREME COURT OF GHANA
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has learned with utter shock, disbelief and dismay, the jailing of a journalist and two Ghanaian citizens by the Supreme Court of Ghana after contempt proceedings. While respecting the verdict of the court and reiterating our condemnation of the utterances and comments made by the three, the party is extremely disappointed and saddened by the severity and harshness of the punishments imposed on them.
Our utter disappointment not only stems from the fact that the accused persons themselves, demonstrated considerable remorse but also there has been an overwhelming outpouring of both condemnation of their conduct and pleas for the court to be lenient in its judgment and avoid custodial sentence. The party is particularly concerned about the devastating impact that this judgment will have on the ability of citizens of Ghana in whom sovereignty resides, to express themselves freely as enshrined in the constitution.
We are unable to reconcile our claim of a free democratic state in which the rights of citizens are paramount with such excessive censure of the right to free expression. This judgment sends an unfortunate impression about Ghana, its judiciary and severely dents our enviable reputation as a beacon of democracy on the African continent and beyond. The judgement also may undermine our position among countries with the freest media in the world. We are completely astonished that the Supreme Court of Ghana which should be at the forefront of efforts to guarantee the liberties and freedoms of all Ghanaians appears to have taken the lead in limiting same.
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We find it strange that Frequency Owners and Directors of a media house can be held liable for the views of panellists. This is akin to holding the members of the court responsible for the conduct of their wards, guests and employees. To commit citizens of Ghana to jail on account of what they have said at a time when democratic societies are moving away from such a practice would appear to roll back all the gains made since the repeal of the criminal libel law.
In many countries, the laws on contempt are being reviewed to check the sweeping powers that it gives the court to investigate, prosecute and sentence contemnors in their own cases. In addition the law on contempt as applied in this case presumed the accused guilty and imposed on them the burden of proof of innocence contrary to the principles of fair trial.
The NDC considers it a paradox that the same Supreme Court that has placed an injunction on the constitutionally mandated body- the National Media Commission (NMC) from exercising its mandate of regulating media standards and content (Content Standards Regulation 2015) appears to be the same body usurping the powers of the Commission by giving directives on policy, content and programmes.
Also we believe that the time has come for the powers of the Supreme Court and all arms of government to be put in proper context and where it is found that it enables the semblance of arbitrariness, steps taken to protect the citizenry. The National Democratic Congress strongly associates itself with all well-meaning Ghanaians who have condemned the judgment of the court. We call on the millions of supporters of the National Democratic Congress to exercise restraint and refrain from any conduct that will undermine the peace of the country. The party also calls on all to draw lessons from this unfortunate event.
Signed
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Dr. Kofi Portuphy
National Chairman
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