GJA calls for the arrest and prosecution of NDC thugs

The Ghana Journalist Association, GJA, has continued its condemnation of violence against journalists as it calls for the arrest and prosecution of NDC thugs who attacked a reporter with Citi TV/FM. Akosua Otchere was attacked by party members while she was covering the vetting of parliamentary aspirants in the Odododiodio Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.

In condemning the act, the GJA said, “What happened at the offices of the Greater Accra Regional Branch of the NDC on Friday was an act of insanity that must not be allowed to fester in our body politic, and so we urge the Police to act swiftly to arrest and prosecute the thugs in order to help sanitise the political space, especially in respect of assault on media practitioners by political actors”.

According to the GJA,  “…the Citi FM/TV News Team were at the NDC Regional Office to perform a public-interest duty and they were properly and professionally clothed in respect of identity,” thus had no reason to be attacked.

In the wake of the incident, the National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi issued a statement condemning the attack while assuring the party will deal with the people. To this end, the GJA said it is waiting to see the “action beyond the rhetoric”.

“While waiting for action beyond the rhetoric by the regional and national leadership of the party, the GJA wishes to serve notice, with deep ink, to political parties and the general public that henceforth, any assault on journalists and the media shall be repelled with the strongest weapon we can marshal.”

Also, the GJA noted that it will “…go every length under the law to deal with political actors and individuals who may attack journalists as we gear up for the 2024 electioneering”.

It thus called on “…political parties in particular and other stakeholders to educate their members to refrain from attacking journalists and learn to channel their grievances, if any, through the appropriate avenues as dictated by the rule of law and practised in civilised states”.