Ghana drops 14 places to 41st in World Press Freedom Index 2011-2012

Ghana has been ranked 41st out of 179 countries globally in the 2011-2012 World Press Freedom Index released by Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RWB) January 25, 2012.

Ghana scored a grade of 11,00 dropping 14 places on the index as compared to the year 2010’s 27th position it was ranked.

The index, which is the 10th annual press freedom index from the group, considered Ghana as one of “Africa’s traditional leaders in respect for journalists.”

Cape Verde was ranked ninth globally, topping Africa.

Some African countries ahead of Ghana apart from Cape Verde, the index showed were Namibia (ranked 21st), Mali (ranked 25th), Niger (ranked 29th) and Tanzania (ranked 34th).

Finland and Norway topped the list first and second respectively while African nation Eritrea was last at 179.

“This year’s index sees many changes in the rankings, changes that reflect a year that was incredibly rich in developments, especially in the Arab world,” Reporters Without Borders said in a statement.

By Ekow Quandzie