UTAG Damns National Security Minister’s ‘coup’ Effusions, Free Speech Gagging Spin

The University of Ghana Branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG-UTAG), has condemned comments by National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, to the effect that individuals in academia, civil society, and the media are inciting a coup in Ghana.

The association says 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.

In a six-point statement issued on Friday and signed by Prof. Ransford E.V. Gyampo and Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison, President and Secretary respectively of UG-UTAG, the association said the minister’s outburst “has the tendency to gag the expression of dissenting opinion on what government does with the fiduciary trust reposed in it, by the people…”

“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.