Ghana's free speech crackdown
A number of Ghanaian journalists and influencers have been arrested in recent years β with several recent high-profile cases. Critics say freedom of speech is under threat.
A number of Ghanaian journalists and influencers have been arrested in recent years β with several recent high-profile cases. Critics say freedom of speech is under serious threat.
It wasnβt always this way. In 2018, Ghana was ranked the top country in Africa for press freedom by Reporters Without Borders.
But in recent years it has dropped down the table and since the start of 2022 a handful of prominent journalists and social media influencers have been detained.
We speak to those who say they are paying a price for the words they posted or broadcast, including radio presenter Bobie Ansah who faces a charge of βpublication of false news and offensive conductβ.
So whatβs behind the crackdown, and is freedom of speech under attack?
Presenter: Jonathan Griffin
Producer: Favour Nunoo
Photo: Oliver Barker-Vormawor, an activist recently arrested in Ghana, arrives at Ashaiman District Court on 28 February.
Photo credit: Favour Nunoo/ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ
Last on
More episodes
Broadcasts
- Sat 23 Apr 2022 04:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service
- Sat 23 Apr 2022 17:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sat 23 Apr 2022 22:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Americas and the Caribbean
- Sat 23 Apr 2022 23:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Australasia, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet, Europe and the Middle East & Online only
- Sun 24 Apr 2022 00:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service South Asia & East Asia only
- Sun 24 Apr 2022 22:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Mon 25 Apr 2022 09:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service
Podcast
-
![]()
Trending
In-depth reporting on the world of social media
