The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has condemned the invasion of Metro TV by armed police officers.
He questioned why the security officials tasked by the court to serve a notice did not execute the order peacefully but used violent means to get things done.
The GJA President fumed about why the armed police officers wanted to disrupt the live television programme that was ongoing to draw unwanted public attention.
During a media coalition held on November 28, 2024, and monitored by GhanaWeb, Kwabena Dwumfour called on the police service to act right to protect media organizations.
“The invasion of Metro TV raises many critical questions. Why should the service of a court order be done in such a violent and chaotic manner? Why should the bearers of the court order be so bent on serving it on a live television programme and in such a violent manner? Was there no other way?
“The deafening trumpet sounded by the police administration recently to provide protection for media houses during the elections is still echoing. Why should police officers go and threaten the lives of media workers at Metro TV? These questions are meant to be food for thought for all of us,” he said.
Background
The Wednesday, October 27, 2024, edition of Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana had to be suspended following a scuffle within the building of the media house by a group of armed men accompanied by police officers as they attempted to enter the studio.
According to Dr. Randy Abbey, private security personnel working at the station had been attacked by the invaders, leading to one of the security personnel suffering an injury.
In the video cited by GhanaWeb, Dr. Randy Abbey is seen questioning the authority of the police and the alleged armed men attempting to enter the studio.
“Which court gave you that authority?” a furious Dr. Randy Abbey was seen questioning a uniformed police officer.
It is not clear what may have motivated the presence of the alleged armed men and police officers within the premises of Metro TV.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has yet to issue a statement or react to the incident.
Watch the video below
SB
