Ghana's free speech crackdown

A number of Ghanaian journalists and influencers have been arrested in recent years – with several recent high-profile cases. Critics say freedom of speech is under serious threat.

It wasn’t always this way. In 2018, Ghana was ranked the top country in Africa for press freedom by Reporters Without Borders.

But in recent years it has dropped down the table and since the start of 2022 a handful of prominent journalists and social media influencers have been detained.

We speak to those who say they are paying a price for the words they posted or broadcast, including radio presenter Bobie Ansah who faces a charge of “publication of false news and offensive conduct”.

So what’s behind the crackdown, and is freedom of speech under attack?

Presenter: Jonathan Griffin
Producer: Favour Nunoo
Photo: Oliver Barker-Vormawor, an activist recently arrested in Ghana, arrives at Ashaiman District Court on 28 February.
Photo credit: Favour Nunoo/BBC