We’ve been consistent in condemning media attacks – Oppong Nkrumah tells GJA

The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has responded to the Ghana Journalists Association(GJA) by saying his ministry has always been in the position of condemning attacks on the media in Ghana.

GJA in a statement signed by the General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah on October 8 indicated that the Minister had failed to directly condemn the attack on UTV.

According to the Association, the Minister’s statement was lacking in decisiveness and criticized his attempt to justify the attack by mentioning alleged unauthorized entry by the assailants, although the Minister indicated that he reported the incident to the police.

The GJA also highlighted the disparity between the Information Minister’s response to the UTV incident and a previous incident where a journalist at Dagbon FM was assaulted by an NDC activist.

In an interview monitored by The Ghana Report on Citi FM, the Information Minister in countering GJA’s assertion said all their allegations are unfounded.

Oppong Nkrumah explained that his ministry reports information as obtained from its monitoring centre and updates its stance as more information becomes available.

He further clarified that the ministry’s condemnation was in line with their previous responses to attacks on media houses and journalists.

“My view is that I think we have been consistent, we don’t need to break ranks, we need to put the attention where attention needs to be put [and] that is prosecution and the courts, that we stand together with them and we use them to ensure that there is deterrence”.

The GJA as a body subsequently called on the media to be bold and never be intimidated by such acts of hooliganism, and to act professionally at all times in the discharge of their duties.