Captain Smart: Arrest and release of journalist raise fears of attack on freedom of expression

• The arrest of Captain Smart by national security agents has raised new concerns about the lack of freedom of expression in Ghana
• Numerous journalists, social commentators and interest groups condemned the arrest and demanded his release
• Captain Smart was released on Wednesday evening shortly after an outcry on social media
• Onua TV/FM morning show host has alleged that the president is deeply involved in illegal mining in Ghana

Media professionals in Ghana have raised red flags over the erosion of press freedom in the country.

This follows what has been described as a “Rambo-style” arrest of outspoken media professional Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart.

The host of the Onua TV/FM morning show was arrested by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) on Wednesday October 19, 2022, without stated reason.

Although no official reason was given for his arrest, Media General, his employers, believe his arrest was influenced by the allegation that President Nana Akufo-Addo is actively involved in illegal mining, commonly called galamsey.

He said the ineffectiveness of the state-sponsored fight against the threat was baffling and added that the only explanation is that the president was up to his neck in practice.

The Ministry of Information referred its allegation against the president to the National Media Commission. The government has said the allegations against the president constitute unethical journalism.

After his arrest, Ghanaian journalists and social commentators took to social media to condemn the government.

This forced the police to release him late Wednesday evening.

YEN.com.gh compiled some of the reactions to Captain Smart’s arrest on social media below:

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Manasseh Azure Awuni, a popular journalist said:

“If Captain Smart’s arrest is due to his galamsey comment about the president, then it’s wrong.”

John Mark Siklere felt that the government does not seem to have its priorities straight:

“They won’t stop the dollar… u from issokay”

Akufo-Addo drags Captain Smart to media committee

YEN.com.gh reported in a previous article that Captain Smart was hauled before the National Media Commission by the Presidency for alleging that the President was involved in illegal mining activities.

The Ministry of Information said in a statement that Captain Smart’s allegation is false because the president is not involved in galamsey.

The ministry said the Onua FM/TV morning show host’s false allegation was only intended to tarnish Nana Akufo-Addo’s reputation and make it difficult to counter the threat.

Source: YEN.com.gh