Montie Saga: Protect Free Speech Vigil Underway

A group calling itself the Research and Advocacy Platform has begun a campaign to have the three Montie contempt convicts pardoned by President John Mahama.

The group criticised the four month jail term handed the host of political program on Montie FM, Salifu Maase together with two other panelists, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako-Gunn.

The directors and owner of Montie were also found guilty for contempt and fined.

In a statement the group notes that while it is important to protect state institutions like the Supreme Court it is also imperative to protect the fundamental right to free speech.

"RAP notes the need to uphold the integrity of vital state institutions like the Supreme Court. We nonetheless believe that the four months custodial sentence imposed on the three is excessive and has the potential to severely curtail the right to free speech which is a fundamental right enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

"We are consequently taking a number of steps aimed at mobilising Ghanaians of all shades of opinion to petition the President to invoke Article 72 of the Constitution to offer the imprisoned three a reprieve from this harsh sentence.

The convener of the group Abu Razak said the book has been opened at the premises of Radio Gold at Laterbiokorshie and the Freedom Centre at Kokomlemle.

There is also a vigil night being organised for the three convicted persons.