The government is set to meet with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) next week to discuss concerns over attacks on journalists in the country.
The scheduled meeting follows a press conference by the GJA in Accra on Tuesday over seven attacks the Association said journalists have suffered since inception of the current government.
“It is disheartening to note that just about 50 days into the second John Mahama’s administration, we have witnessed seven cases of assault against journalists, and this is unprecedented,” GJA president, Albert Dwomfour, said.
But addressing presidential reporters at the Presidency in Accra yesterday, Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, while condemning the alleged attacks underlined that linking it same to government was regrettable.
“It is a most regrettable narrative. We do not think that it is fair to President Mahama, it is not fair to government, it is even not fair to the GJA or even to the journalists who are reported to have been attacked,” he stated.
According to him, the incidents referred to by the GJA were undertaken by non- state actors and could not be linked to the government.
To that end, he mentioned, their offences must be viewed as “criminal” and be treated as such; something the police must investigate and punish the perpetrators.
“If individuals attack journalists at a public event, that is a breakdown of law and order, not a directive from the government,” he noted.
President John Mahama, Mr Ofosu said, values press freedom and has maintained a strong relationship with journalists, and would be the last person to inhibit their work.
“He is a member of the Ghana Journalists Association and has always welcomed open engagement with journalists, even when criticised,” he said.
He entreated journalists who feel threatened to report to the appropriate authorities for redress; assuring that government was willing to support them seek justice.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
