Ghana

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – The following is a statement released on 1 June 1999 by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in reaction to the fine imposed on the “Ghanaian Chronicle”: **Updates IFEX alert of 1 June 1999** The Ghana Journalists Association has learnt with a great deal of dismay and concern of the unprecedented record […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – An Accra High Court has ordered the “Ghanaian Chronicle”, a private newspaper in Ghana, to pay an unprecedented record fine of forty-two million cedis (approx. US$17,500) for libel to Minister of Roads and Transport Edward Salia. Presided by Justice S. T. Faakye, the court held that Salia had suffered damage to […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – Ebo Quansah and Mohammed Affum, editor and deputy editor, respectively, of “The Ghanaian Chronicle”, an independent newspaper in Ghana, were fined one million cedis each (US$400) for contempt of court by an Accra High Court presided by Mr. Justice R. K. Apaloo on 18 May 1999. They have been given seven […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – FEG announced yesterday that Tommy Thompson, publisher of the “Free Press Newspaper”, died after a short illness at the SSNIT Hospital in Accra. He was 66 years old. He’s believed to have passed away on 21 September. **Updates IFEX alerts dated 13 August 1998, 30 and 28 July 1998, and 23 […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – A grand welcome ceremony has been planned for jailed editors Haruna Atta, Kweku Baako Jr. and Ato Sam to mark their release from prison on 22 August 1998. This is part of the effort by Friends of Free Expression, an ad hoc pressure group, to encourage members of the general public […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – An Accra circuit court trying two journalists, Eben Quarcoo and Kofi Coomson, together with Tommy Thompson, publisher of the “Free Press”, is to rule on whether or not to allow verbatim reports by journalists of legal proceedings against the trio. No dates have been fixed for the hearing, but Judge Victor […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – On 31 July 1998, the Court of Appeal dismissed an application for bail filed by jailed editors Haruna Atta (“The Weekend Statesman”), and Kweku Baako Jr. (“The Guide”), pending the determination of an appeal against their conviction. In a split decision, the Court ruled that the application was unmeritorious. Justices J. […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – On 27 July 1998, Mr. Ebenezer Ato Sam, suspended editor of the “Free Press”, was found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to a jail term of 21days in default of a 5 million cedis (about US$2,000) fine. The sentence was handed down in an Accra High Court presided over […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – Three recently jailed Ghanaian journalists, Haruna Atta, Kweku Baako Jr., and Ebenezer Ato Sam, have been moved from the relatively better conditions at the Nsawam Medium Prisons to three different locations in the country which are notorious for their poor conditions. **Updates IFEX alerts of 30, 28 and 24 July** Kweku […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – Two journalists, Eben Quarcoo and Kofi Coomson, whose arrests were ordered by the court last week, have had their bail conditions rescinded and their passports deposited with the courts for fear that they would jump bail before their case is heard. **Updates IFEX alert of 28 July 1998** In a submission […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – It was reported on 24 July 1998 (see IFEX alert) that two journalists, Haruna Atta, editor of “The Weekend Statesman”, and Kweku Baako Jr., editor of “The Guide”, had been found guilty of contempt of court by the Court of Appeal. The contempt conviction was handed down for publishing libellous material […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – On 23 July 1998, the Court of Appeal, by a 2 to 1 decision of Justices Sarpong and Essilfie-Bondzie, with Benin, J.A. dissenting, found two journalists, Haruna Atta, editor of “The Weekend Statesman”, and Kweku Baako Jr., of “The Guide”, guilty of contempt of court. The two have been sentenced to […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – On 29 May 1998, Ghana’s immigration authorities invited Dee Roberts, a journalist of Liberian nationality, to their offices for questioning. This appears to be in connection with an earlier operation in which two other journalists, Bunmi Aborisade and Lewis Asubiojo, were picked up and released only after posting a bail bond […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – According to Free Expression Ghana, two Nigerian journalists, Bunmi Aborisade and Lewis Asubiojo, were picked up on 27 May 1998, by the Ghanaian Immigration Authorities, while another journalist, Diallo Teh, suspected to be of Guinean or Senegalese origin, was being sought. According to information made available to Free Expression Ghana, two […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – On 12 March 1998, a popular radio program on Radio GAR was ordered cut in the middle of an interview with a Ghanaian tax consultant, Mr. Nartey, who was speaking very critically of the proposed implementation of a new Value Added Tax regime for Ghana. It is not immediately clear who […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – On 19 January 1998, Kweku Baako Jr., editor of “The Guide”, a national weekly based in Accra, was called to the headquarters of the Police CID Flying Squad for questioning in connection with a letter printed in the 13-19 November 1997 issue of the newspaper. The letter, written by one Bayitsey […]