SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

Chairperson, Ministers of States, members of the diplomatic community, heads of media
institutions, journalists, media practitioners, media partners, distinguished audience…
For the 30th consecutive time, we celebrate the freedom of the press in Ghana and the world.
This year, we are reminded that press freedom is largely hinged on the freedom of expression;
one of the most fundamental and essential rights for human and societal survival and
development.
As UNESCO’s theme for this year’s celebration suggests, freedom of expression is a driver for all
human rights.
Without defending freedom of expression, we cannot defend anything else.
It is the dawn of progressive development in Ghana, but the development we seek can only be
realized when every person’s rights are protected, when every person is free to express
themselves, and most importantly, free after expressing themselves.
While the need for press freedom is urgent now more than ever, the truth is, the culture of
silence is so subtly seeping into the pores of our society.
Journalists are allowed to speak up, but is their safety always guaranteed after they speak?
Today, we remember and celebrate the journalists who have lost their lives and sacrificed their
safety while chasing and sharing the news.
The mandate falls on us, to ensure that ‘free press’ is not only an idea, but a working and
progressive system in Ghana.
This year’s celebration is a wake up call to each of us, from the highest rank in government to the
lowest grassroot, to protect, defend, and refrain from infringing on press freedom and the
freedom of expression of every person.
At the Ghana Commission for UNESCO, we promote press freedom by empowering journalists
and building national capacity to prevent, protect and prosecute attacks against journalists
Throughout today’s celebration of world press freedom day, and even after, I hope that we are
often reminded to ask ourselves, ‘what am I doing to protect and champion press freedom in
Ghana?