Prof. Karikari @80: Femi Falana urges Africa to defend free speech
By: Rebecca Okine
Renowned Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist Mr. Femi Falana has stressed that freedom of expression is not a Western luxury but a fundamental human right vital for dignity and democratic governance.
Delivering the keynote address at a public lecture honoring Professor Kwame Karikari’s 80th birthday in Accra yesterday, Mr. Falana called on African states to protect and promote freedom of expression amid rising digital censorship, disinformation, and technological surveillance.
Quoting one of Prof. Karikari’s famous sayings, “a silenced people can never be free,” Mr. Falana described freedom of expression as a non-negotiable right that underpins human dignity and meaningful democracy.
The event, themed ‘Celebrating a Life of Commitment and Service to Free Expression, Democracy, and Social Justice,’ brought together journalists, academics, civil society actors, students, and media advocates to honor Prof. Karikari, a Ghanaian journalist, academic, and founder of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
Mr. Falana praised Prof. Karikari’s unwavering dedication to press freedom and civic engagement, describing him as a “consistent voice for participatory democracy, not bourgeois democracy.”
He lauded the professor’s efforts to deepen democratic culture, civic consciousness, media literacy, and public accountability across West Africa.
“In a time when access to traditional media is limited for many, especially in rural areas, Prof. Karikari has consistently championed community radio as a way to give voice to the voiceless,” Mr. Falana said.
He also commended the professor’s advocacy for Ghana’s Coordinated Mechanism on the Safety of Journalists, an institutional framework designed to handle complaints and address threats against media practitioners.
According to Mr. Falana, Prof. Karikari has not only fought for media freedom but also challenged the misuse of indigenous languages on radio. He urged journalism schools to introduce language-specific training to improve professionalism in local language broadcasting.
The Nigerian advocate called on attendees to continue Prof. Karikari’s legacy by defending digital freedoms, pushing for media reforms, and resisting economic injustices fueled by neocolonial interests in Africa.
“Above all, we must speak, even when it is inconvenient for power mongers on our continent,” he added.
Born July 16, 1945, Prof. Kwame Karikari is a professor of Journalism and Mass Communication and former Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (1982–1984). Over the years, he has emerged as a leading voice for media freedom and social justice in Africa. He is also the founder of the Media Foundation for West Africa.
The event attracted a cross-section of media professionals, civil society leaders, and former students who have benefited from Prof. Karikari’s mentorship.
