Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has applauded former president John Agyekum Kufuor for upholding media freedom during his administration.
The commendation comes on the back of the National Media Commission’s closure of Accra-based Radio Gold and Radio XYZ both pro-opposition National Democratic Congress stations.
The NCA said the two stations are among many radio stations operating without valid authorisations.
In a Facebook, Mr Ablakwa said: “Kindly indulge me to salute and celebrate His Excellency Former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
“According to the NCA's chronology of Radio Gold's FM Frequency Authorisation; on 2nd October, 2000 - "The Company's Authorisation EXPIRED but company did not submit renewal application prior to its expiry."
“What the chronology further reveals is that the John Agyekum Kufuor led Government had every legal basis to in a similar fashion carry out a Gestapo-style shut down of Radio Gold during the eight years the NPP was in power, and which period Radio Gold was still an ardent critic of his Government, however, President John Agyekum Kufuor's Administration just like its successor Prof. Mills and President Mahama Administrations, refused to do what President Akufo-Addo's Administration has done.
“With great respect, it was the English born American poet, Anne Bradstreet in her 1650 poem titled: 'Meditations Divine and Moral' who wrote - "Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge, fitter to bruise than polish."
“I absolutely concur with the GJA, GIBA, the Minority Leader in Parliament and many others that the NCA must publish the full status of all radio stations in Ghana if we are to believe that it's recent actions against Radio Gold and Radio XYZ are not political hatchet jobs.
“President Kufuor, as regards media freedoms - I salute you for using your authority to polish and not to bruise.
“May that shining example of tolerance and true believe in press freedom inspire us to defeat the forces of tyranny, ironically, at a time your own party is at the helm of affairs.”
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Is this the logic of a whole MP? The legislature should definitely be a difficult place with such characters. This alone should send Ablakwa from the Parliament house. You have denigrated the Okudzeto name, not to mention the Volta region as a whole. The NCA might not have been well orgainsed at Kuffuor's time but Mills and Mahama might have intervened on behalf of the radio stations hence the silence on the part of the NCA. However, with Nana in the driver seat, the NCA members have proved to be citizens and not spectators hence their action! Bravo NCA
His first work was an appointment in government and his money got lost in his car(money laundering)he talks any how and thinks be has sense,when it favours his party is right and when it's not,its wrong.let me drive my small car in town with a days expired road worthy and insurance and bump into this so called law makers car even a scratch on his bumper and he will let me go freely witjout taking me to the police abi? You can ***barred word*** some people at sometimes but not all,all the time.T hi.e.ves
As you congratulate president Kuffuor for his tolerance even though you without decorum criticized him and his administration, would you advise radio gold to do the right thing? How can you operate with no regards to the laws of the country? And hear the former president too?
CAN THIS BABE WITH SHARP TEETH LISTERNING TO HIMSELF? WOULDN'T GHANAIANS BE HAPPY IF EVERYTHING IS BY RULES AND REGULATIONS. SO IS HE OKUDJATO IN PARLIAMENT TO PASS LAWS AND LEAVE THEM IN STATUS BOOKS. AT LEAST LET ALL OF HELP SEE THINGS HAPPENING FOR ONCE AND FOREVER.LET NDC STOP THIS BEHAVIOUR AND PUT THE SAFETY OF OUR FIRST IN EVERY OF THEIR DOINGS AND COMMENTS
see a whole shithole parliamentarian confirming that the stations actually operated without the propers for so many years and yet their closure is still illegal and will go ahead to salute the very person they hated kuffour what a logic, and right and left thinking guys still sit and say nothing. from 2000 no licence eh
Okudzeto, can u ***barred word*** there, Soo u also support the to work without licence, a law maker, I can't think far
I personally don't believe in gagging an opponent or someone one perceives to be, but we must build strong institutions not strong men as advised by Pres Obama. In any civilized country, no one will dare operate on an expired licence,so if the law is biting now, what is the fuss? We must make the rule of law work and build stronger institutions so Ghana can work again.