UWR/''we deeply regret the toils, intimidation and overt censorship the press in Ghana is going through under the watch of President Akufo Addo'' NDC on Press Freedom day

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UWR/''we deeply regret the toils, intimidation and overt censorship the press in Ghana is going through under the watch of President Akufo Addo'' NDC on Press Freedom day

The opposition political party NDC in the Upper West region today celebrated journalist on the Global Press Freedom day.

In a statement issued by the regional communication officer of the party, Mr Puo-Ire Prosper and copied to Watchghana.com, he used the moment to '‘congratulate the press for their relentless role at enhancing human development’'

He, however, said the freedom of the journalist now is faced with intimidation and other difficulties. '‘we deeply regret the toils, intimidation and overt censorship the press in Ghana is going through under the watch of President Akufo Addo''

Please find below the full statement

National Democratic Congress

Upper West Regional Communication Secretariat

Press Release...

3/05/2020

NDC UPPER WEST CELEBRATES THE PRESS ON THIS OCCASION OF GLOBAL PRESS FREEDOM DAY

As the entire world dedicates this 3rd Day of May every year to commemorate the pivotal role of the press to uplifting global development, the NDC UWR, unites with the entire party and indeed the world at large to congratulate the press for their relentless role at enhancing human development.

We deem it gratifying to celebrate the press more particularly at this moment the world is fighting the dreaded COVID - 19 Pandemic which is threatening the existence of our human society.

As we celebrate the global press, we particularly want to salute all the gallant press men and women in the Upper West Region.

Your Sterling role as the anchor of our Region's development is manifested in several folds including your unflinching commitment as the voice of the voiceless and the less privileged. Your contribution at educating our population in the midst of COVID-19 and the cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak in our region is particularly commendable.

Your role as the conscience of our society has proven to be a potent lubricant for our engine of democracy.

While we commend and congratulate the press on this landmark in their profession, we deeply regret the toils, intimidation and overt censorship the press in Ghana is going through under the watch of President Akufo Addo who before his election as President of the Republic of Ghana was parading himself as a staunch Human Rights Advocate.

The bizarre closure of numerous radio and TV stations, the enigma surrounding the murder of Ahmed Suale, the intimidation of pressmen and women and various media personalities who hitherto have been the voices of conscience are the instances that expose President Akufo Addo's much taunted human rights principles as only but an ideological smokescreen.

We, therefore, wish to call on the government to immediately remove all human-created bottlenecks that impede the media in the discharge of their sacred responsibilities.

We particularly wish to remind the government that, a self-motivated, independent and impartial press is a necessary ingredient to spice up our Democratic laurels. Government is therefore called upon to immediately ensure the media has that free space to operate in an independent and impartial environment without any form of intimidation.

Once again, we say congratulations to all pressmen and women. Thank you.

... Signed...

Puo-Ire Prosper

Reg. Comm. Officer

(0204852735)