Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister for Information has charged the security agencies to deal with threats and attacks against journalists in the country.
It follows recent incidents of attacks and threats on some media practitioners including investigative journalist Manasseh Azuri Awuni and morning show host Captain Smart of Angel fm.
Interacting with journalists from Ofoase where he is the MP, Oppong Nkrumah said “a number of journalists have reported threats and at least one robbery in the aftermath of the 2020 elections. It has been suggested that these threats are associated with their work as journalists.”
Oppong Nkrumah added, “It is of critical importance that our security agencies get to the bottom of these complaints and use all the legitimate means at their disposal to unmask the identities of the culprits – whatever their motives – and arrest and prosecute them with speed”
He said “Ghana’s enviable reputation as a protector of journalists’ rights and freedoms must be preserved”
Recent threat
However, the Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA) is demanding an immediate investigation into death threats on investigative journalist, Manasseh Azuri Awuni.
It follows latest threat by alleged political fanatics on Manasseh following his latest opinion piece on the outcome of Elections 2020.
Manasseh made the disclosure on Joy FM’s news analysis show, Newsfile, adding the threat was sent in an email to him on Christmas Day.
“Lucky to be walking free”
The alleged threatening email reads: “Lucky to still be walking a free man…. Let me tell you Manasseh or whatever you call yourself, we the good citizens of Ghana will not sit down for a few miscreants like you to destroy that beautiful country. If condition demands that we eliminate rats like you, we will not relent on our oars to do exactly that.
“We are monitoring the present situation in the country very closely, and when it gets out of hand we shall move in swiftly to ensure that we eliminate you to bring finality to these brouhaha going on.
“We shall come after you very soon. I know and firmly believe that, is cowards who die many times before their death but a perceived brave journalist like you is going to fight like a warrior, fighting in the battle of power. But don’t forget Ahmed Suale’s death, let that blood which was sacrificed to pacify the spirit of our ancestors serve as a reminder for you. Always when you take a pen and write an article remember your colleagues’ death…”
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