Accra: The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has given the Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) a seven-day ultimatum over the reported shutdown of Obaatanpa Radio at Kasoa. The Association is demanding a public apology, compensation for the station, and police investigations into the incident, which it said undermined press freedom. Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the GJA, announced the decision at a press conference in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Dwumfour alleged that Mr Richard Asiedu, the Central Regional Chairman of the NDC, led a group that shut down the radio station and described the incident as an attack on press freedom and democratic governance. Mr Dwumfour said the GJA was demanding that Mr Asiedu publicly admit wrongdoing, apologise to Obaatanpa Radio and the media fraternity, compensate the station for revenue losses, and report himself and any other persons involved to the Police for investigation.
He stated that Mr Asiedu was reportedly accompanied by Mr Seth Banini, Awutu Senya East Municipal Chief Executive, and Mr Nyash Nyande, the Constituency National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Coordinator. Mr Dwumfour emphasized that failure to comply with the Association's demands within seven days would compel the GJA to declare Mr Asiedu 'an enemy of press freedom' and pursue criminal and civil action against all persons found to have been involved.
Mr Dwumfour remarked that in a constitutional democracy, the proper response to media criticism is not intimidation, invasion, threats, and forcible closure of the radio station. He asserted that being a party in power does not confer a license on party leaders to close a radio station, stating that the Constitution and the laws of Ghana provide lawful avenues for redress.
He called on the Ghana Police Service to expedite investigations, mentioning that the assault case had been referred to the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters in Accra. Mr Dwumfour urged the Attorney-General to ensure that any prosecutable conduct arising from the incident was handled swiftly, impartially, and without political interference.
The GJA also urged the National Media Commission to speak on the matter to safeguard media independence and public confidence in democratic institutions. It called on the National Democratic Congress to condemn the reported actions of its Central Regional Chairman and apply appropriate disciplinary measures.
Mr Dwumfour announced that the Association would begin consultations with Parliament, the Attorney-General, the Ghana Bar Association, the National Media Commission, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders on the introduction of anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) legislation. He noted that the GJA aims to protect journalists and media houses from abusive litigation through these consultations.