The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) says, it is dismayed with the recent resurgence in attacks on journalists during the execution
of their constitutionally mandated duties.
A press release signed by its President, Cecil Sunkwa-Mills on Monday, January 29, 2024 stated:
“On Thursday, January 4, 2024, during the Central Regional vetting of parliamentary aspirants
of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in Cape Coast, a journalist with Cape FM (Abura–Cape Coast), David Kobbena, was attacked by thugs believed to be
supporters of Madam Hawa Koomson.
Again, over the weekend, on Saturday, January 27, 2024, there was another incident of an attack on a journalist, Mohammed Aminu Alariba, a reporter for Citi FM/Citi TV by no less a person than a legislator who should know better, Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama and his
supporters. This appalling attack also happened during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP)
parliamentary primaries that took place in the Yendi Constituency of the Northern Region, while he was performing his duty of covering the proceedings.
The release added: “These journalists could have lost their lives but for the timely intervention of their colleagues.”
“We at GIBA are especially alarmed because the two latest attacks took place during electioneering activities and may possibly be foreshadowing how journalists and media
practitioners could be treated in this election year if immediate actions are not taken to
reverse and halt this unfortunate trend,” the release indicated.
GIBA is worried that perpetrators of these attacks are becoming emboldened, because these acts of hooliganism and spate of
attacks on journalist go unpunished.
It called on the government and the Ghana Police Service (GPS) to put their foot down, identify and sanction all perpetrators, without fear or favour, to send out a clear signal to all and any future miscreants that “these barbaric acts cannot be
countenanced in our beloved country, Ghana.”
“Although these incidents have been widely condemned by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), the Private Newspaper and Online Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), we believe that more serious action needs to be taken by the fraternity to ensure the protection and safety of all our members. We cannot continue to reward perpetrators by not sending strong and clear signals that they will face consequences for their actions.
It is in this
light that we stand in total solidarity with the GJA’s call to impose a total media blackout on
Mavis Hawa Koomson in her capacity as Member of Parliament (MP) for the Awutu-Senya East
constituency and Minister of State, in charge of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development.
We believe this will send a clear signal that this is not business as usual,” the release said.
The release commended the GJA for its bold decision and assured it of its unflinching support going forward.
