Gifty Lawson
Ghanaian Centre of PEN expresses concern
The Ghanaian Centre of PEN International – a worldwide association of writers – has learnt with disquiet about the treatment meted out to Gifty Lawson of the Daily Guide newspaper by some members of Ghana’s security agencies. While conceding the rights of security officials to perform their duties in protecting the Republic, we also do not agree that they should brutalise citizens going about their legitimate duties in the process. Ghana’s 4th Republican Constitution guarantees the freedom of expression, which the security agencies are bound by the same Constitution to defend. Brutalising a media woman in the legitimate pursuit of her duties is unwarranted and therefore a violation of the Constitution. In this Election Year, what we need is more collaboration and cooperation between the media, the police and other security agencies to ensure free, fair and violence-free elections and not actions that would exacerbate tensions. The Ghanaian Centre of PEN calls on all sides to exercise restraint and mutual respect so as to avoid serious disagreements between the media and security services which in the end can only be detrimental to the National Interest.
Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Harruna Attah, President
Mackay Anim-Appiah, Executive Secretary
