The University of Ghana Branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG-UTAG), has condemned comments by National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah, citing that individuals in academia, civil society, and the media are using their positions in society to incite coup to destabilize the country.
The association in a statement jointly signed and issued by Prof. Ransford E.V. Gyampo and Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison, President and Secretary, respectively, of UG-UTAG, said the minister’s comments amount to an attempt to gag the public from exercising their right to free speech, especially when he made the claim without providing any evidence.
“We take a serious exception to the Minister’s statement and condemn it in no uncertain terms, as it has the tendency to gag the expression of dissenting opinion on what government does with the fiduciary trust reposed in it, by the people. It also has the potency to prevent these individuals from exercising their fundamental rights to free speech”.
“We do not support any individual or groups calling for a coup in Ghana. But at the same time, we won’t be gagged from speaking our minds forcefully on all important national issues. We would fiercely resist any attempt, including political commentary, that has the potency to usher us into the dark days of culture of silence”.
“The antidote to coups and military interventions in politics are good governance, fight against corruption, proper management of the economy and the implementation of proactive pro-poor policies, that can help bridge the gap between the poor and the rich, as well as create a vibrant Middle Class in society”.
“While we call on the government to imbibe the antidotes listed above to secure our peace and promote political stability, we also ask for a national dialogue and conversation on how to guard against the threats of coups and safeguard our peace in Ghana,” said UG-UTAG.
Find the full statement below