Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called for stronger protection of press freedom and freedom of expression, warning that any attempt to intimidate, harass, arrest or suppress journalists in the course of their duties constitutes a direct threat to Ghana’s democratic foundations.
Speaking at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) World Press Freedom Day 2026 Honours Night held on Saturday, June 7, he stressed that the media remains a vital pillar in safeguarding peace, accountability and democratic stability in the country.
Afenyo-Markin expressed concern over what he described as increasing threats to free expression, particularly the use of laws on false information and offensive conduct against political commentators and opposition voices.
He argued that the application of arrests, detentions and prosecutions in response to political speech risks creating fear among citizens and media practitioners, ultimately discouraging open participation in democratic discourse.
“When unlawful arrests and detention are seen as a first resort in response to political expression, it creates a chilling effect on democratic participation,” he said, adding that democracy cannot thrive if opposition voices are punished for expressing their views.
The Minority Leader urged state institutions, including the Attorney-General’s Department and other prosecutorial bodies, to carry out their responsibilities fairly, impartially and in strict adherence to constitutional principles, to ensure that democratic freedoms are not undermined.
