Security operatives invading Citi FM unacceptable – Baako

The Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik KwekuBaako Jnr has said the style with  which armed national security operatives invaded the premises of Citi FM/TV, and the arrest of two of its reporters and the alleged assault on one, Mr. Caleb Kudah is “unacceptable” and could have been done in a professional way.

To him, it is of great concern that brutality against journalists is on the increase in the country despite the public outrage on the issue and must be looked into for sanity to prevail.

He made this known on Joy FM’s News File hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini last Saturday morning.

“Ghana has not made any progress related to the impunity of abuse on journalists. We should do more to fight the issue and help to protect journalists and citizens. The way and manner they invaded Citi FM premises is unacceptable. It ought not to have happened in this state of technology and media and state institutions’ relationship… Things could have been done in a neat way.”

Investigation

Mr. Baako further called on the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to intervene and investigate the issue in ways to bring sanity rather than sticking to the National Security office investigation.

“I’ve heard people say CHRAJ should do the investigation. I endorse it, they are independent body. They can do it, they’ve done some before, and sometimes they don’t publicize the results. When government intervenes and sets up its own body to investigate the matter, there will be another agitation of people asking how independent they said body will be. I prefer CHRAJ and I must be sincere with you.

“They can deal with this matter where they will have access to the eyewitness account among others, we will move away from people doubting the credibility of a commission or committee set up. It is clearly incumbent on not just journalists or media owners, but I think the entirety of the citizenry especially the focused civil society groups to take up this issue and deal with that cautiously. There are bodies like CHRAJ that can intervene based on the provisions of their Act, and of course the constitution. It is important that when such things happen, as much as you want to be fair and objective, it is difficult to deny that there is a subculture or subculture of immunity,”

Background

Caleb and his colleague, Zoe Abu-Baidoo were arrested on May 11 over alleged filming at a restricted area, following which Caleb alleged he was physically assaulted during his arrest.

Subsequent to their release, Caleb in particular has alleged being manhandled, including slaps among others, during his interrogation.

The National Security Ministry in a statement on May 13, 2021, signed by its Chief Director, Lt. Col. AbabioSerebour (Rtd.) said the allegations have been noted and are being investigated.

The Ministry said the “protection of the rights and freedoms of the citizenry remains a cornerstone to safeguarding the peace and stability of the State” and so it “strives, at all times, to uphold the ethics and professional standards guiding operational duties” and “therefore, takes with all seriousness, the allegations of manhandling of the two journalists during the interrogation.”

“The Ministry of National Security wishes to assure the Public that appropriate actions shall be taken if the allegations are found to be true.”