African Media Barometer Ghana 2017 Summary The Ghanaian Constitution, in Chapter 12, protects both freedoms of expression and of the media. The freedoms stipulated, amongst others, include the prohibition of censorship, the freedom to establish private media, insulation of the media from the government’s control or interference, editorial freedom by the media and independence of the state (public) broadcaster. The government has also repealed libel laws. As a result of these far-reaching guarantees of media freedom, Ghana remains one of the few countries on the continent where the government steers away from interfering in the media. However, there are few laws to support these constitutional guarantees. For instance, Ghana is one of the few countries on the continent without an access to information, legislation and broadcasting law. Although criminal libel provisions in the Criminal Code of 1960 have been repealed, some sections that prohibit the media from publishing information that may disturb the public peace remain on the statute books. These sections have been invoked under both Presidents: John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor and the late John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. A measure of a healthy democracy in any country is the level of freedom of expression among its citizens. Ghana does have the space for people to express themselves. Radio, in particular, is the main platform where people can freely speak their minds. Another platform is social media, which has expanded the avenue for freedom of expression on political-economic and social issues. However, there are some limitations to this freedom, not least from pressures arising from politics and cultural practices. With regards to the former, family or social pressures may act as hindrances to free speech. Women, especially, are discouraged to speak out and many of them, especially in rural and peri-urban areas, shy away from doing so. There is also great respect for traditional authority, with a large number of people steering clear of criticising traditional leaders. In the political arena, fear of speaking out is becoming prevalent. Journalists are increasingly facing intimidation from the police and from politicians, simply for expressing themselves. Business people, bureaucrats and government workers are also scared to speak out for fear of losing contracts or their jobs. The freedom of expression guaranteed in the constitution and the relative freedom to speech citizens have, is undermined by the lack of access to information legislation. Although the Constitution states that “all persons shall have the right to information”, the absence of policy and legislation make it very difficult for both journalists and ordinary citizens to access it. This is compounded by poor record keeping and knowledge management. Efforts by lobby groups over the years to push for an access to information law have not yielded results. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2017 7