The Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has asserted that the Fourth Republic Constitution of Ghana, compared to previous ones, has provided more rights and freedoms for the practice of media and journalism in Ghana.
He said the Chapter 12 of the Fourth Republic Constitution has given journalist the freedoms and protections to practice, adding that successive governments continue to explore best efforts at making media work easy and risk-free.
The Minister noted that, the J A Kufour-led NPP government under the Attorney Generalship of President Nana Akufo-Addo as part of efforts to deepen the freedoms, repelled the Criminal Libel Law which was a hindrance to media practice.
The Information Minister also stated that under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, government has passed into law the Right to Information (RTI) Act to further strengthen and deepen the freedoms and rights of journalist in the media space.
He said the Act is a legislative tool that lays down the procedure for journalist to solicit information from both public and private institutions, which requires the institutions to make such information available within 14 days of request.
He added that, the Information Ministry through the Information Service Department, ISD has trained and deplored RTI officers across all ministries, departments and agencies to aid the implementation of the law, and has urged all Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to replicate same.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah also stated that government has established and commissioned the Office of Coordinated Mechanism on the Safety of Journalists last week to assure the safety of media practitioners.
He said the office, manned by the National Media Commission, becomes the official source for filing complaints of attacks on journalists, validating alleged attacks, following up on investigations & sanctions and reporting on safety of journalists.
The Minister of Information, also Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi constituency said this in Wa on Saturday, May 8, 2021 during his engagement with journalists on his tour of the five regions of the north.