The Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr. Kojo Asante, has urged journalists and media organisations to comply with court orders, even when they disagree with them, while pursuing legal avenues to challenge such decisions.
According to him, respect for judicial decisions is a fundamental principle of the rule of law and should not be disregarded because of disagreements over a court’s ruling.
His comments come after journalist Larry Dogbey was cited for contempt of court over publications involving businessman Kevin Okyere.
For this reason, he was sentenced to a 7-day jail term by Justice Isaac Addo of the Accra High Court
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, June 27, 2026, Dr. Asante said parties dissatisfied with court decisions should obey the orders first before seeking redress through the appellate process.
“So, first of all, you need to respect court judgments. It’s important as a general principle,” he said.
Referring specifically to the Larry Dogbey case, Dr. Asante said compliance with the court’s directive would have been the appropriate course of action, even if an appeal was intended.
“In Larry’s case, I think that he should have done well to just respect it. Even if you mean that you have to appeal the process, like in the National Service case with The Fourth Estate, you obey it, and then you find other ways to address the problem. I think that is still fundamental,” he said.
Dr. Asante, however, reiterated concerns about aspects of the legal framework governing media-related cases, particularly court orders that amount to prior restraint.
“I worry about some of these prior restraint judgments. That doesn’t really, for me, at the end, support press freedom,” he said.
He also suggested that journalists facing similar legal disputes should focus on demonstrating that their publications are factual and in the public interest rather than relying on procedural defences.
“What I thought he would have argued was that, at the end, I’m just reporting facts. I’m reporting what has happened,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Dogbey was later granted bail on Friday, June 26, 2026, in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties. The bail is valid for 10 days.
