The Central Region branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is urgently calling on the Police Administration to expedite investigations into attacks on its members and a media house at Elmina by alleged political party thugs in the region.
On Monday, 16th May 2022, Eric Blessing Eshun of Elmina- based Benya FM was brutalized and studio equipment vandalized by a group of alleged NPP supporters during a live discussion on fishing and pre-mix fuel distribution in the Komenda- Edina- Aguafo Constituency.
The group was apparently incensed by accusations of discrimination in the pre-mix fuel distribution on partisan lines.
GJA – Central Region also recalls with utmost disgust the attack on Prince Acquah, a journalist with the Ghana News Agency, on Monday, May 2, 2022, while covering the Ajumako Enyan Essiam NPP Constituency Executive elections at the Ajumako campus of the University of Education, Winneba. Mr. Acquah, who was filming an altercation that ensued at the venue over transport allowance for the delegates.
Barely after a minute after filming the heated argument, a mob from the party furiously accosted and physically assaulted Mr. Acquah, claiming he was a spy or agent of the opposition NDC. Although the matter was reported to the Ajumako Police no action has been taken against the perpetrators.
The two separate incidents by the alleged party thugs have left the GJA wondering whether the perpetrators have taken any caution from Ghana’s abysmal performance on the latest World Press Freedom Index.
GJA -Central Region makes it clear that it will not tolerate any form of hooliganism or intimidation of its members by any political party.
Such anti-media and anti-democratic acts must be punished, after full-scale investigations, to deter other offenders from doing the same impunity.
Signed
Kingsley Nana Buadu
Acting-GJA, Central Regional Secretary
