Press freedom: 5 times media have been attacked by political party thugs in 2023
The murder of Ghanaian journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale, who was shot on January 16, 2019, by unidentified men months after threats by a local politician, sent shockwaves through the country’s press corps.
However, four years down the lane, despite promises from the government and police assurances perpetrators are yet to be brought to book. Meanwhile, Ghanaian journalists and media houses continue to face abuses in connection with their work, including attacks, threats, and arrests.
Ghana has been a pillar of press freedom on the African continent. While most countries in the region have struggled with an independent and viable press, Ghana has maintained a diverse and flourishing media landscape.
Yet according to the Reporters Without Borders’ 2022 World Press Freedom Index, Ghana dropped significantly in its rankings, from 30th to 60th out of 180 countries over a single year.
This is Ghana’s lowest-ever ranking in 17 years after it ranked 66th and 67th in 2005 and 2002 respectively.
According to Reporters Without Borders, although the country is considered a regional leader in democratic stability, journalists have experienced growing pressures in recent years.
It said the conditions that promoted the safety of Ghanaian journalists have deteriorated sharply in recent years.
The issue of media freedom, and the ability of journalists to be able to do their jobs without fear, has been in the headlines again recently following an attack on a journalist by some supporters of the NDC in Accra.
Citi FM/Citi TV journalist attacked by NDC thugs
A journalist of Citi TV and Citi FM, Akosua Otchere, was on Friday, October 13, 2023, attacked while covering the vetting of the parliamentary aspirants of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Odododiodio constituency in Accra.
Ms. Otchere was attacked by some NDC thugs, who twisted her hand and snatched her phone.
This happened when members of one of the candidates’ camps destroyed party property, including chairs and an air conditioner, and pelted stones at the vetting committee, citing unfairness on their part.
The chaos occurred at the NDC’s Greater Accra Regional office in South La, where three individuals—Nii Okai Laryea, Kotey Ashie, and Michael Nii Yarboi Annang—were facing the committee in the hope of succeeding the incumbent MP, Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, who is not seeking re-election.
Alleged NPP thugs Storm UTV’s United Showbiz To Stop Live Programme
On October 7, 2023, a group of about 20 individuals stormed the studios of Accra-based United Television (UTV) during a live broadcast. The assailants intimidated the presenter and guests, causing the station to temporarily go off air.
Their action came on the back of a letter directed to the management of UTV regarding program reform. According to them, Kwame A Plus, who is a regular pundit on the show, had in a previous episode criticized the letter received and its propriety describing it as useless and tearing it apart.
The agitated individuals stormed the studio and sought to confront A Plus who shared a divergent view of the content of the letter.
The leader of the group that invaded the studio said they wanted the popular highlife singer, A Plus, to apologize for his actions on air.
Dagbon FM journalist attacked by NDC communicator during live show
On May 3, 2023, a radio show host with Dagbon Radio, Sadiq Abubakari Gariba, was attacked while hosting a live show at Tamale in the Northern Region.
He was assaulted by the region’s Former Deputy Communication Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hardi Pagazaa, who stormed the facility and started an altercation.
The reason behind the attack was that the presenter had spoken negatively about the former officer on live radio.
The attackers verbally assaulted and forcibly pulled the presenter out of the studio, as seen in a viral video that circulated online.
“What have I done to you?” the NDC member is heard saying after they barged in.
Mr Pagaza was in the company of another man who also shouted, “Stop mentioning his name if you don’t want to die.”
The scuffle grew intense as the presenter fought off the man.
Captain Smart and his crew attacked in Obuasi
Host of Onua Maakye show, Captain Smart and his crew were allegedly attacked during day two of the Onua Maakye’s Peoples’ Assembly at Obuasi in the Ashanti region on Thursday, June 8, 2023.
A man believed to be a member of the Obuasi Municipal task force stormed the venue and attempted to disturb the work of the Onua team.
The thug physically prevented the technical team from mounting live gadgets claiming he was ordered from above to stop the event, TV3’s Ashanti Region correspondent William Evans Nkum reported.
MCE’s aide assaults journalists at Jaman Radio in Drobo, disrupting live show
An aide to the Municipal Chief Executive of the Jaman South Municipality in the Bono region created a scene at the studios of Drobo-based Jaman Radio, attacking some staff at the station.
The unfortunate incident occurred on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
According to the Morning Show Host of the station, Kwabena Asante, the MCE, Andrews Bediako, entered the studio unannounced with some of his aides to clarify some road issues being discussed on the air.
Kwabena Asante said that during the programme, one of the guys who had accompanied the MCE was disrupting the programme, so he ordered him to be removed from the studio, resulting in a fracas.
“We were having our live programme today when the MCE together with some guys entered the studio to clarify some issues so I obliged him, but in the course of the programme one of the guys was disrupting the programme so I ordered him out.”
He added that the disruptive guy, Adinkra Kusi, engaged in a physical fight with Alhaji Gausu, a journalist at the station, and caused injury to Godfred Asah, the technician on duty.
The host also confirmed having been hit in an attempt to separate the feuding persons.