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In a noteworthy response to comments made by National Security Minister Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah, the University of Ghana’s branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG-UTAG) has expressed its strong disapproval, viewing the statements as an assault on the freedom of speech held by academia, civil society, and the media.
The UG-UTAG’s press release comes in the wake of Minister Kan-Dapaah’s statements delivered during a seminar jointly organized by the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, in collaboration with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) and Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority on October 19, 2023.
The seminar’s primary objective was to evaluate the impact of disinformation on electoral integrity in Ghana and across Africa.
Minister Kan-Dapaah, during the event, voiced his concerns regarding certain figures within academia, civil society, and the media, whom he believed were advancing false narratives supportive of a coup or military rule in Ghana. He highlighted that these individuals had garnered significant followings on social media platforms and were leveraging their influence to disseminate what he regarded as misleading information, posing a threat to the nation’s peace and stability, particularly in the run-up to the crucial December 2024 general election.
The UG-UTAG’s press release strongly condemned the Minister’s comments, contending that they could potentially suppress the expression of dissenting viewpoints and hinder the exercise of the fundamental right to freedom of speech. While making it clear that they did not endorse any calls for a coup in Ghana, UG-UTAG emphasized their unwavering commitment to voicing concerns on matters of national importance.
The statement underscored the critical role of good governance, the battle against corruption, effective economic management, and proactive policies aimed at benefiting the less privileged as the key measures to prevent coups and military interventions in politics. Furthermore, it called for a national conversation and dialogue on these pressing issues to secure peace and bolster political stability in Ghana.
