Charles Asiedu, Member of Parliament for Tano South, has criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over what he describes as a sharp decline in media freedom during the tenure of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
According to him, the NPP cannot be compared to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in any aspect of governance, especially now that President John Dramani Mahama has restored a more open and tolerant environment for press freedom.
Speaking on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, on Dwaboase on Power 97.9 FM and TV XYZ with host Piesie Okrah, Mr Asiedu made the comments while reacting to a recent interview former President John Agyekum Kufuor granted on The Delay Show with Deloris Frimpong Manso.
In that interview, Mr Kufuor revealed that former President Akufo-Addo rarely consulted him on major decisions and that he often felt sidelined by his own party.
“Under President Mahama, the media is operating freely once again. That level of openness was missing during former President Akufo-Addo’s time,” Mr Asiedu said. “You cannot blame former President Kufuor for staying quiet during that period; the environment was simply too hostile toward dissent.”
He added: “President Kufuor protected himself by choosing silence. If he had spoken out frequently, he could have easily been targeted. Compare that to President Atta Mills’ or President Mahama’s leadership, where even outspoken figures like the late President J.J. Rawlings could freely express their views without fear.”
The Tano South legislator further argued that the NDC has consistently created a safer and more transparent media space.
“Under the NDC, journalists can ask tough questions without intimidation. Today, under President Mahama, that culture of openness has been restored, strengthening our democratic space once again,” he stated.
Mr Asiedu concluded with a bold remark: “The truth is simple, former President Kufuor would never have granted that Delay interview if former President Akufo-Addo were still in power. The atmosphere of fear would not have allowed it.”
His comments add to ongoing national discussions about press freedom, particularly following Mr Kufuor’s widely discussed revelations.
Source: myxyzonline.com
