Chairman Wontumi has reacted to the “nonsense” letter written by Mr. John Mahama to President Akufo-Addo to accuse him of criminalizing free speech in the country.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman in an interview with Movementtvonline.com shortly after Mr. Mahama pieced together a letter to create an impression journalist are under attack in Ghana, stated that the 2020 flagbearer of the NDC has found a voice because his media “dogs” are being tamed by the law.
According to Chairman Wontumi, under the watch of Mr. Mahama, Fadi Daboussie was arrested through the directive of Mr. Mahama for speaking his mind against his government.
He continued that Felix Ofosu Kwakye justified the act in 2016 on TV3.
Current deputy Finance Minister and MP for Ejisu, Lawyer Juohn Kumah, according to Chairman Wontumi was also arrested for speaking against John Mahama’s government under his instruction.
Mahama’s letter
Mr. Mahama mentioned Captain Smart, Bobie Ansah, etc as people who have suffered in their line of duty for speaking against the Akufo-Addo led government.
A portion of Mr. Mahama’s letter to President Akufo-Addo read : “there have also been several disturbing incidents of harassment of journalists in the line of duty; we have witnessed media establishments closed down on your instructions, despite many appeals to you.
Now, in a space of less than two weeks, four people have suffered police action, criminalizing their right to free speech. As Attorney General, at the time, who led the repeal of the criminal libel law, in order that citizens could freely express their views, it is unconscionable to be suppressing the rights and criminalising the speech of citizens and journalists. It is even more worrying when the power of the state is used as a pliant tool in this intimidating endeavour.”
But Chairman Wontumi reminded him of the “nonsense” his message carries when he (Mahama) disrespected former President Kufuor when he advised him to tone down on his attack on pressmen.
“You (Mahama) told former President Kufuor that you will use a bulldozer to kill a fly when he advised you not to use a sledge hammer to kill a fly. Are you the same man talking today?”