Ahmed Suale murder: British, U.S envoys push for outcome of investigations

The British High Commission in Ghana says it is waiting keenly for the outcome of investigations into the murder of Tiger Eye PI’s Ahmed Hussein Suale.

The Commission said the outcome of the investigation is of great interest to the UK government.

The United States Embassy has also made a similar demand. The U.S. Embassy says there should be a thorough enquiry into the death of the investigative journalist who was gunned down seven months ago at Madina in Accra.

Speaking to Joy News’ Israel Laryea as part of the media freedom campaign, Head of Political Affairs, Annup Vyas at the UK High Commission in Ghana said the murder and other attacks on journalists are a source of great concern.

He urged state actors not to see journalists as adversaries but partners.

He said the murder of Ahmed Suale remains one of the incidents that has shocked the international community.

“We are looking to see what happens next…there are clear signs that it was a murder and should be considered in those terms and we are looking to see what happens next in terms of justice and bringing those responsible to account,” Mr Vyas said.

U.S. Embassy

The U.S Embassy also said last week that Mr Suale’s death was more than an attack on Ghana’s climate of transparency, democratic credibility and press freedom.

“Further attacks on some journalists reflect a concerning trend which must be reversed to ensure Ghana’s reputation for media freedom is maintained,” the embassy’s press attache, Ms Naomi Mattos, was quoted as saying by state-owned Daily Graphic newspaper at an event in Accra.

Campaign

Throughout this week, the Multimedia Group has led a campaign seeking an end to attacks on pressmen and to deepen media freedom in Ghana.

The campaign has become critical because of heightened attacks on journalists in Ghana in recent times.

Dubbed “Defend Media Freedom,” the campaign has been seeking the views and suggestions from a number of senior members of the media fraternity on how to stem the attack on press freedom.