Freedom of expression march: Government wants to have only voices that sings it praises – Joyce Bawa

Special Aide to John Mahama, Joyce Bawa has stated that it is important that the democratic credentials of the country are protected at all cost.

Joyce Bawa who expressed worry over Ghana’s drop in the latest press freedom index indicated that government efforts to prevent press freedom is a challenge but must be condemned.

“Ghana’s ranking in the latest press freedom index has actually suffered and I think it is imperative we actually protect the democratic credentials it is important that we ensure adequate press freedom. Any government that seeks to clamp down on anything to do with media freedoms actually presents a challenge.”

Speaking in an interview with Ghanaweb she also rubbished the claim that the media houses were shut down due to debt owed.

She indicated that “that press freedom has nothing to do with money and no amount of money can ensure press freedom, only the state can allow the press to operate within a free and fair media landscape irrespective of what licenses are out or what you need to pay and not pay”

She also accused government of pushing to ensure that only media houses that sings it praises existed.

“There is a partial political motivation in the shutting down of the radio stations and also because there is a need for control and always because government wants to have voices that sing its praises and is very averse to criticism “