President Mahama Calls for Legally Binding Press Freedom Protection Across AU Member States

President John Dramani Mahama has called for legally binding frameworks to protect press freedom across all African Union member states, urging continental leaders to safeguard civic space and democratic rights.

He made this admonition in his address at the opening of the 13th High-Level Dialogue on Democracy and Human Rights on Tuesday.

He emphasized that there was an urgent need to preserve the freedom of the press and ensure that the voices of the youth and women, and marginalised groups must be heard and protected.”

According to the president, protecting fundamental democratic rights requires defending citizens’ ability to organise, protest, and participate without fear of repression.

“Democracy cannot thrive in the presence of fear or repression, and the legitimacy of our governments depends on the inclusion of all our people,” he added.

He positioned press freedom and civil rights protection as essential to addressing what he described as widespread civic disengagement across the continent.

The president connected these press freedom concerns to Africa’s demographic reality, warning that “young people comprise the majority of our population and are growing increasingly impatient” with the current state of democratic governance.

“This youth majority represents a powerful force that governments can no longer ignore or placate with empty promises,” he emphasised.

He argued that addressing youth concerns requires more than token gestures, calling for substantive reforms that give young people meaningful participation in governance.

The president warned that the continued exclusion of youth voices could undermine democratic stability across the continent.

He warned delegates that the dialogue cannot afford to become another ceremonial event filled with lofty speeches but void of action, noting that “our citizens are watching and waiting” for concrete results.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD