NPP Condemns Attack on Journalist

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned the recent attack on Adom FM reporter, Ohemaa Sakyiwaa Ahwenepa, by one of the party’s notorious women activists.

A statement signed yesterday by the Acting General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu, said: “The NPP has noted with concern an alleged attack on a journalist by one of its supporters, Hajia Fati. We distance ourselves from the act and condemn it unreservedly.”

Hajia Fati, a firebrand activist and member of the NPP, is reported to have slapped Ohemaa Sakyiwaa at the party’s headquarters, less than 24 hours after Ghana had hosted the World Press Freedom Day.

The Multimedia journalist was assaulted when she tried taking pictures of Hajia Fati who, had earlier created a scene at the party’s headquarters after suspended vice chairman, Sammy Crabbe, had shown up to pick nomination forms to contest for the chairmanship position at the upcoming National Delegates Conference.

John Boadu, in condemning the attack, indicated that the party had begun an internal enquiry into the incident, and would cooperate with other agencies investigating the issue.

He said the NPP is a party that respects and cherishes the role of the media as partners in development and does not condone any action intended to suppress press freedom.

“No journalist should feel intimidated and must continue to discharge his/her duties without fear,” he stressed.

The statement comes after several groups, including the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), had called on the party to condemn the attack.

Meanwhile, the Communications Director of the party, Adomako Baafi, on Joy News, explained that the rationale behind the delay in condemning the ‘attack’ was due to a funeral he had to attend.

According to him, he was to have condemned last Friday’s incident much earlier but funeral arrangements appeared to have distracted him.

He however condemned the act with several adjectives saying, “It is nasty, dastard and reckless.”

Ohemaa Sakyiwaa Ahwenepa becomes the second multimedia reporter to have been attacked this year, after a recent attack on Latif Iddris who is currently nursing a broken skull.

By: Emmanuel Yeboah Britwum