Award-winning journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has condemned President Akufo-Addo’s over his "unfortunate" speech made at University of Cape Coast (UCC).

Speaking at the University of Cape Coast, on Saturday, 29th May 2021, at a ceremony held to confer an honorary doctorate degree on him, President Akufo-Addo noted that he has, all his life, been a firm believer in constitutional government.

He said when it comes to the freedom of the press he has "nothing to apologise."

But in an interview on 3FM Morning show with Alfred Ocansey Manasseh said there exists abundant evidence to support the claims of culture of silence and suppression of press freedom if the president is minded to see.

President Nana Akufo-Addo over the weekend used a platform at UCC to respond to a series of allegations against his government especially on the culture of silence and stifling of press freedom.

Directly replying criticisms, Akufo-Addo said there is no culture of silence prevailing in the country under his administration as the country continues to enjoy a vibrant media landscape. He found any contrary claims “ironic”.

“I find it ironic that the Presidency of a man who has been and continues to be the most vilified political figure of his generation can be accused of presiding over a ‘culture of silence’.” He said.

“There is no midnight knock on the door in Ghana for authors of dissenting views, nor will there be during my presidency.”

With Twitter having described Ghana as “a supporter of free speech, online freedom, and the Open Internet”, as some of the reasons for setting up shop in Ghana, the President noted that these same qualities possessed by Ghana also influenced the decision by the Federation of African Journalists to announce the holding of its annual conference in Ghana, because of the country’s attachment to a culture and practice of free media.

But Manasseh Azure took the writers of the President’s speech to task saying they could have done better as the content was “unfortunate”.

Manasseh Azure called on the President to institute investigation into the incidents taking place under his leadership.

He cited the arrest, torture and detention without charge and molestation of ModernGhana.com editors details of which was never investigated.