The Center for Democracy and Socio-Economic Development - Africa (CDS-AFRICA) expresses its profound concern and condemns in the strongest terms, the unfortunate events that transpired Saturday [7-10-2023] night at UTV, where a group of individuals purportedly affiliated with the New Patriotic party disrupted the proceedings of the United Showbiz program.
Ghana, as a nation, has long held the principles of freedom of speech and expression as central to its democratic fabric.
It is these values that have enabled vibrant and diverse voices to flourish within the media landscape, contributing to an open and inclusive society where differing perspectives can be heard and debated. Therefore, any attempt to stifle this fundamental democratic right, as witnessed at UTV, is an affront to the very essence of Ghana's democracy.
CDS-AFRICA maintains that the proper channel for expressing concerns or dissent about media content is through established mechanisms such as filing complaints at the Media Commission, engaging in dialogue, or participating in constructive debates or even the courts.
Resorting to disruptions and attempts to silence voices with which one disagrees is not only contrary to democratic norms but also undermines the free will of ideas that are vital for a healthy and flourishing democracy.
We commend the Ghana Police Service who have initiated an investigation into the incident, and we commend their commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
We also commend the Ministry of Information, the Ghana Journalist Association and all other well-meaning institutions who have joined the condemnation of the said undemocratic conduct.
We trust that the Ghana Police Service will conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry to establish the facts surrounding this unfortunate event and prosecute where necessary.
CDS-AFRICA calls on all political parties, civil society organizations, and stakeholders in Ghana to reaffirm their commitment to democratic values and freedom of speech.
It is our collective duty to protect and nurture these principles that have been the bedrock of our fourth republican democratic journey.
