Freedom of Speech & Expression under Attack in Ghana

- Rawlings Wonders Why?

Rawlings is said to be in a perplexed state of mind about the flagrant abuse of

human rights under the "Asomdwehene" Mills' administration. He may conclude in

private that the Atta Mills' civilian NDC government is not any different from his

previous authoritarian PNDC/NDC administrations. They bear more of similarities than

differences. Some of the security agents under the Mill's NDC government for reasons

until now unknown, are trigger happy to always side with the NDC foot-soldier's

view. This is what may be shocking to Mr. Rawlings even though he often encourages

that sort of mobbism. He cannot understand why lawlessness is sprouting into mobbism

under the very watchful eyes of a supposed "Asomdwehene".

Truly, freedom of speech and expression are under attack, I must confess. There have

not only been selective dismissals but also, prosecutions and persecutions in Ghana

since the advent of President Mills. Is he not aware of the NDC foot-soldiers'

ongoing hooliganism or he has simply switched into nonchalance sleeping mode? Or,

the acts of lawlessness as being perpetuated and orchestrated are given his

blessings? The so-called foot but actually fool soldiers have become law unto

themselves whose wish and actions dictate the reactions of President Mills. This

attitude of "Mr. Go Slow" is shameful enough to most Ghanaians same as opined by his

mentor and school teacher Togbui Avaklasu J.J. Rawlings.

My own Kumawuman kinsman, Nana Darkwah, went on air to express his views about who

could possibly have torched the Rawlingses residence. Barely had he made a statement

when he was arrested by one Kofi Adams in company of policemen, charged and detained

in Nsawam High Security Prisons. Is Nana Darkwah not on course to be vindicated as

Kofi Adams' own words cast doubt over Rawlings' credibility on the issue of how his

house came to be burnt? Is it right for the State to be dealing with him under the

stipulations of Criminal Justice Code section 208? Another NPP guy on FoxFm radio

counter-challenged a NDC guy with whom they were both panellists on a live

programme. The NDC guy had cast aspersions on Nana Akuffo Addo as having droopy

lips. The NPP guy who goes by the nickname "High Priest" counteracts by likening the

looks of President Mills to a Chimpanzee.

This NPP guy is arrested and charged with an offence under Criminal Justice Code

section 207 for insulting President Mills. How outrageous and stupid are our law

enforcement agents becoming? Who told them that under democratic dispensation one

can be charged for being insulting? What the guy said is nowhere near acts

chargeable with defamation of character or libel. Why are the bad and clueless guys

within the Security Force making President Mills always look bad by their untoward

lopsided favouritism towards the NDC course no matter how repugnant it may be? They

always jump on their feet at the crack of the finger whenever any idiot from the NDC

camp beckons to them. This is not good enough. It is not being helpful to Mr.

Squeaky Clean Asomdwehene Mills.

Rawlings is wondering how President Mills' administration could get overly infected

by his arbitrary lawlessness. Rawlings is never enthused over President Mills trying

to out-shine the Rawlings' legacies of intimidation, oppression and suppression.

Ghanaians who are not NDC activists or sympathisers are covertly and overtly being

oppressed under the Mills' administration by his notorious Young Pioneers turned

foot-soldiers. The law enforcement agents should seize making a fool of themselves

by their obviously irresponsible or reprehensible behaviour as until now manifested

in acts involving NPP and NDC persons.

Rockson Adofo