The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has described President Akufo-Addo and his government as a hater of free speech.
According to him, the president and his government are opposed to dissenting views and would go a long way to silence persons who criticize his administration.
The former president cited the examples of heads of schools and teachers who are afraid to voice out issues when things are not going on well in schools.
In his view, such teachers or heads of institutions are usually victimized for coming out with the truth or voicing out concerns in the educational sector.
John Mahama made these remarks while addressing Chiefs and residents in the Ahafo region as part of his Building Ghana Tour,.
Describing Akufo-Addo’s government as a very autocratic, vindictive government, Mr. Mahama said “… so if you were a teacher or a headmaster and things were not going well in your school or the educational system [and] if you talked about it, they would either sack you or they will transfer you. And so it instituted a culture of fear amongst public servants.”
He also remarked that in a democratic dispensation, the truth cannot be hidden as it would ultimately surpass the falsehood and lies that have been spread in the country.
John Mahama lamented the perceived erosion of the right to free expression under the administration of Nana Akufo-Addo and Bawumia.
Noting that things were different under his government, Mahama highlighted a policy that encouraged open dialogue, allowing headmasters and teachers to voice concerns when things were not progressing well in schools.
“They say when there’s a race between lies and the truth, the lies take an early lead. But eventually, at the finish line, the truth will be vindicated and the truth will win in any democracy. In any country, the right to free speech is very important.
“At the time I was president, we allowed people to speak freely, and so if things were not going well in schools, the headmasters and the teachers could complain and talk. Unfortunately, that changed when the Nana Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government came in,” he declared.
Meanwhile, in 2021 President Akufo-Addo refuted claims that his administration was perpetuating culture of silence inn Ghana.
The president, at the time said “I find it ironic that the Presidency of a man who has been and continues to be the most vilified political figure of his generation can be accused of presiding over a ‘culture of silence’.
He also emphasized that “the Criminal Libel Law, which had been part of our legal architecture for decades, did not just suddenly disappear from our laws. I have been a part and, sometimes, led the struggle for individual rights and freedom of the press in this country. I believe in it.
“It is part of my makeup, and, when it comes to the freedom of the press, I am certain I have nothing to apologise for with reference to anything I have ever done or said,” he added.
Speaking at the University of Cape Coast, on Saturday, 29th May 2021, at a ceremony held to confer an honorary doctorate degree on him, President Akufo-Addo noted that he has, all his life, been a firm believer in constitutional government.