Nobody Can Stop Me From Speaking My Mind, Not Even Govt � Kwesi Pratt

Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, has dared anybody, including government, who has plans to prevent him from appearing on radio and television discussion programmes, to revise their notes because he cannot be gagged. �I will never be stopped. I don�t see anybody who can stop me from expressing my thoughts,� Kwesi Pratt declared, on Adom FM�s Dwaso Nsem morning show Thursday March 14, 2013. His outburst followed reports that he had been axed from the list of government/NDC communicators tasked to appear on Metro TV�s morning programme Good Morning Ghana. The Daily Searchlight newspaper reported that Mr. Pratt, who is a regular panel member for Wednesday was told by Producer of the show, that he had been replaced by the Communications Directorate of the NDC and was therefore turned away. His place was taken by the NDC Member of Parliament for Nanton, Murtala Mohammed. Kwesi Pratt insists however that, he does not appear on the ticket of the NDC on the show. Confirming the incident, the veteran journalist said �I went to Metro TV on Wednesday, but I was told �the government� did not want me to appear on the show so I left.� However, �around 11am, [Information and Media Relations Minister Mahama] Ayariga called me and said it was �a mistake, miscommunication.� Later [defeated NDC parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma North] Ras Mubarak came to my office and said he was taking over as head of NDC Communications team, and that my being driven away was a mistake. But I asked him why he was saying that, since I don�t speak for the government.� Kwesi Pratt gave a stark warning to persons who hoped to embarrass and prevent him from speaking on topical national issues. �If there is anybody in government who thinks because we are friends I will not criticize the actions of the government then they are mistaken. Everybody knows former President Kufuor is my friend, but I criticized his government. Who doesn�t know Nana Akufo-Addo is my friend, but I criticized his plans when I thought they were wrong. �The same way President Mahama is more like a brother, but if he does something that I think is not right I will say it without fear or favour. His appointments and this reshuffle, if I think they are wrong I will say it. �I will never be stopped. I don�t see anybody who can stop me from expressing my thoughts.�