‘The repeal of the Criminal Libel Law has had a very positive impact on the development of the Ghanaian media’ –President Akufo-Addo

The President of the Republic of Ghana; H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo has stated that he is proud of the modest  role he played in the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law on 2nd August 2001 as an Attorney General.

‘As the Attorney-General, who piloted the repeal through Parliament, I was also responsible for the discontinuation of the then pending prosecutions, under the Criminal Libel Law, of notable Ghanaian journalists Tommy Thompson, Kofi Coomson and Eben Quarcoo for publications against personalities of the then government, “said President Akufo-Addo.

According to the President, the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law brought to an end more than a century old regime of colonial laws, repressive of free expression.

He noted that Ghana has a vibrant media that has won her the reputation of having one of the most media friendly and liberal climates on the continent as a result of the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law.

Furthermore, the President indicated that the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law has had a very positive impact on the development of the Ghanaian media, freeing it from unnecessary self-censorship, and promoting a robust and critical media culture.

The repeal of the Criminal Libel Law, according to President Akufo-Addo, has contributed significantly to the deepening of democracy in our country, enhancing public accountability as a strategic goal of public policy.

President Akufo-Addo was speaking on Tuesday, 1st June 2021, at the Africa Journalists Leadership Conference, when he delivered the keynote address. The conference was organised by the Federation of African Journalists, at the Alisa Hotel, in Accra