The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has strongly condemned threats issued against Media General journalists by national executives of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
During a recent NPP press conference, the party’s Third Vice Chairman, Alhaji Osman Masawudu, was caught on camera pushing down a TV3 microphone—an act he later admitted to.
In a follow-up radio interview on Kumasi-based Ashh FM, he escalated tensions by issuing direct threats of physical attacks against Media General journalists at future NPP events.
Addressing the media on the back of this, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour denounced the threats and urged the police to immediately arrest the NPP’s Third Vice Chair.
“The actions and comments of Alhaji Masawudu are very reckless, repressive, and regrettable. His actions are not only a threat to human life, but also a threat to the rule of law and our democracy. We condemn them in no uncertain terms and call on the NPP’s National Vice Chairman to withdraw his reckless comment and apologize,” Mr. Dwumfour stated.
He also appealed to civil society organizations, the diplomatic community, and international bodies to join the GJA in demanding a formal retraction and public apology from Alhaji Masawudu.
“If the NPP National Vice Chairman fails to withdraw those reckless comments and threats, we shall hold him responsible for any attack on TV3 reporters at the party’s programme or anywhere near the party’s office,” he warned.
The GJA revealed that Media General’s management has already reported the matter to the police and called on law enforcement to act swiftly and decisively.
“We hereby call on the police to act decisively on this case. The police must not sit unconcerned. They must not wait for the worst to happen before they act. We call on the IGP and his team to immediately invite or arrest the NPP Third National Vice Chairman.”
Source: Ghana/StarrFM 103.5FM/Benjamin Sackey
