Kweku Baako @70: The ‘Interceptor-General’ who was jailed for freedom of expression

Today, July 7, 2024, one of Ghana’s best-known and impactful journalists, the erudite, redoubtable Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Junior, turns 70.

At 70, Kweku Baako has been an active influential journalist for over four decades. Over forty years! He stands out for his meticulousness and ability to “intercept” sensitive and confidential documents for the public good.

And if we needed the very quintessence of a journalist who does not just read documents but peruses, dissects them and keeps them safe for posterity, Kweku Baako will definitely be the one; the primus inter pares! The Interceptor-General.

Journalists are trained, even enjoined, to be true to the facts and be fearless in telling truth to power and holding public office holders accountable. But speaking up comes with dire consequences even under democratic dispensation let alone under military regimes.

But a daring Kweku Baako spoke up as editor during the Rawlings regime and pay heavily for it. Under the Provisional National Defence Council(PNDC), Kweku Baako Jr and others were arrested and mercilessly tortured for daring to exercise their freedom of expression. His fearlessness and unwavering work to protect the freedom and independence of the press have had a long-lasting positive effect on Ghana’s democratisation effort.

“Too many people don’t realize that you spent months in jail so that they could enjoy the right to speak freely.

Yet, you exude grace even when some of the beneficiaries attack you without cause,” Executive Director of CDD-Ghana, Prof HK Prempeh said in celebration of his birthday.

Kweku Baako was born to Kofi Baako, a Minister in Kwame Nkrumah’s government.

Happy birthday, Kweku Baako Jr. More power to your elbow!

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