Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) in a letter to Nana Akufo-Addo, President the Republic of Ghana has expressed concern over the attack on Kwesi Parker Wilson, reporter of Accra-based Joy FM on October 29.
PPF Secretary General Owais Aslam Ali in his letter has called on the authorities to immediately investigate the matter and hold the guard responsible for assaulting journalist.
According to Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), the security guard of Ghana’s ex-President, John Mahama assaulted Parker during the coverage of campaign team of the ex-president, who is pursuing his party’s directive as flag-bearer in Ghana’s 2020 presidential elections.
Soon after the ex-President finished interacting with students of the Pentecost University in Accra as a part of his campaign, the journalist made his way towards the president to get an interview. He was, however stopped by the security guard of John Mahama. When Parker complained against the rude behavior of security guard towards him, he was than repetitively pushed. The guard slapped journalist and shouted that you are challenging my authority.
Journalists from Multimedia Group have faced various incidents of attack while in the line of duty. Five journalists from the Multimedia were victims of assault since March, 2018.
Latif Iddris of Joy News was assaulted by police officers on March 27, while covering an incident at the Police Headquarters in Accra. In another incident, Ohemaa Sakyiwaa, a reporter of Adom FM of the Multimedia group was assaulted by a supporter of Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party at the party’s headquarters.
A group of supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ghana’s main opposition party on August 16 assaulted Jonathan Adjei, a cameraman of Joy News. The incident happened while the cameraman was covering the commissioning of a polyclinic at Sunkwa, a town in the Central region of Ghana.
In another incident occurred on September 12, Karen Dodoo of Joy News was brutalized by the workers of gold dealership firm, Menzgold. They seized two cellphones and the microphone of journalist.
