Some 155 journalists from over 40 media organisations across Ghana have joined the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to petition President John Dramani Mahama to demand sanctions against his staffer, Mr. Stan Dodge.
The petition follows Mr. Dogbe’s assault of Mr. Yahayah Kwamoah, a journalist with state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) nearly two months ago. In an incident that many have described as shameful and embarrassing, the Presidential staffer, seized and destroyed the journalist’s recording equipment at the 37 military hospital.
The GBC journalist had gone to the hospital to follow-up on development around the Presidential press corps who had been involved in a serious accident that left one journalist dead and others serious injured.
“It is important to point out that the aggression by your staffer happened at a sad moment for journalists when colleagues covering your office had been involved in a serious accident that resulted in the death of one colleague with others sustaining serious injuries,” the petitioners said.
The petition notes: “We are concerned that over a month after the incident, and despite the several pleas from many people and organisations, your office has not acted on the matter.”
“It is our considered view that the conduct of a staff of your highly esteemed office has a direct bearing on the reputation of the office. We, therefore, call on you to show personal commitment to the rights of journalists and your intolerance of acts that may bring your highly esteemed office into disrepute,” the petition demands.
The full petition to the President is below:
His Excellency
President of the Republic of Ghana
Flagstaff House
Accra
September 30, 2015
Your Excellency,
Petition – Abuse of Journalist by Stan Dogbe
On 20th August, 2015, your staff, Mr. Stan Dogbe, assaulted Mr Yahyah Kwamoah, a journalist with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). In a rather bizarre conduct, Mr. Dogbe seized and destroyed the voice recorder of the journalist at the 37 Military hospital where the journalist had been to report on the accident involving the Presidential Press Corps.
Since the incident happened, many notable personalities, journalists and organisations have called on your esteemed office to take action against the Presidential staffer. These demands for action were partly because of our concern about the damage caused to the reputation of your high office by the incident.
It is important to point out that the aggression and untoward conduct by your staffer happened at a sad moment for journalists when colleagues covering your office had been involved in a serious accident that resulted in the death of one journalist and left several others seriously injured.
We are concerned that nearly two months after the incident, and despite the several pleas from many people and organisations your office has not acted on the matter.
It is our considered view that the conduct by a staff of your highly esteemed office has a direct bearing on the reputation of the office. We, therefore, join the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in calling on you to demonstrate your personal commitment to the rights and safety of journalists, and also your intolerance of acts that may bring your highly esteemed office into disrepute by taking appropriate actions against Mr. Stan Dogbe.
Yours Sincerely,
Signed:
- Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, Freelance Journalist
- Agya Kwaku Ogboro, Daily Guide
- Eric Bawah, Classic FM
- Dela Aku Russel, Daily Graphic
- Twumasi Ampofo, Hot FM
- Doreen Avio – Hitz FM
- Philip M. Ampofo, Hot FM
- Sarah B. Ampofo, Hot FM
- Charles Takyi Boadu, Daily Guide
- Addo George – Joy FM
- Beverly Broohm – Hitz FM
- Zainab Issah, Daily Graphic
- Samson Lardi Ayenini, Multi Tv, Joy FM, Lawyer
- Samuel Dowuona, Adom FM
- Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, The Chronicle
- Bawah Alimatu Wiabriga, Bishara Radio
- Afia Agyapomaa Ofosu, TV Africa
- Nii Ogbamey Tetteh, Daily Guide
- Erasmus Kwaw, Liguid Sports Ghana
- Manasseh Awuni Azuri, Joy FM
- Nana Boakye Yiadom, Citi FM
- Ama Bawa, ATL FM
- Nasara Saibu, Starr FM
- Joojo Cobbinah, Multi TV
- Ernest Quansah, Melody FM
- K Boafo, Hot FM
- Charles Asare, Hot FM
- Euphemia Akpalu – Hitz FM
- Eunice Attakora Manu, Angel FM
- Obeng Kwaku, Hot FM
- David Andoh – myjoyonline.com
- Ebenezer Amuzu, Hot FM
- Rahmatu Alhassan, Filla FM
- Safik Mohammed, footballgh.com
- Bills Gborgli – Adom FM
- Ernest Kofi Adu, Daily Guide
- John Wesley Danquah, Hot FM
- Latifah Oppong Baffour, Breeze FM
- Jones Owuraku Mantey, Hot FM
- Suraya Titi Alidu, Kapital Radio
- Emmanuel Afari Quaye, Space FM
- Nana Asare Kwaku Boadu, Cape FM
- Nancy Portia Cudjoe, Hot FM
- Offei-Akoto Ayeh, A1 Radio
- Evans Obiri Appiah, Today Newspaper
- Edward Blagogee, Today Newspaper
- Obeng Kwaku, Hot FM
- Douglas Sakyi, Hot FM
- Albert Sore, Joy News Upper West Regional Correspondent
- Nana Oye Diabene, Freelance
- Yaro Ismail, Might FM
- Abena Korantema, Hot FM
- Afia Badu Kwarten, Hot FM
- MacParadise Okocha, Happy FM
- Ato Keelson, Today Newspaper
- Benedict Owusu – Joy FM
- Napo Ali Fuseini, Today Newspaper,
- Koryekpor Freeman, Today Newspaper
- Richard Kwasi Adjei Agyapong, Today Newspaper
- Smart Takyi Nixon, Hedjorle Online Radio
- Frank Agyam – Asempa FM
- Moses Rexford Kumah, Hedjorle Online Radio
- Yaw Yirenkyi Lamptey, Today Newspaper
- Mwini Gabriel, Radio Progress
- Nick Opoku – Joy FM
- Nana Kwame Dankwah, Hot FM
- Henry Harding, Hot FM
- Thomas Freeman Yeboah, Hot FM
- Stephen Assan, Hot FM
- Amoah Elijah, Freelancer
- Mohammed Abdul Malik, Zuria FM
- Nyarko Abronoma, Vision One FM
- Mohammed Mutaka, Diamond FM
- Abdulai Abdul Gafaru, Diamond FM
- Mohammed Ibn Abdallah, Diamond FM
- Sey Mubarik , Kesmi FM
- Abdulai Abdul Majeed , Diamond FM
- Abdul Kareem Abdul Gafaru, Diamond FM
- Abdulai Sayibu Terry, Bishara FM
- Amorotee Ibrahim, Justice FM
- Queissi Appiah Lawrence – Hitz FM
- Osman Abdul Hafiz- Might FM
- Abdulai M. Rafik – North Star Radio
- Emmanuel Akli – The Chronicle
- Joseph Ackon-Mensah, Student Journalist, Jayee University
- Osei Kofi Serebour, Freelance Journalist
- Nana Kyei – Freelance
- Joe Debrah- Happy FM
- Eric K. Adjanor- Atinka FM
- Pratt Jude- Atinka FM
- Nathaniel Obeng- Atinka FM
- Edward Akuffo- Atinka FM
- Jerry Tsatsu Mordy- Atinka FM
- Richard Gyamfi- Time FM
- Bashiru Bukari- West End Radio
- Isaac Nuamah Yeboah- Atinka FM
- Kofi Larweh- Ghana Community Radio Network
- Osman Nuhu- Gmantambu Radio
- Adugbire Cletus- A1 Radio
- Samuel Sikkayena- Time FM
- Ishmael Atiemo- Atinka FM
- Kwesi Sarpong- Happy FM
- Rahael Asamoah- Peace FM
- Samuel Dortey Kumah- Peace FM
- Kwakye Kwabena- Happy FM
- Isaac Oduro- Peace FM
- Yaa Asamoah- Happy FM
- Emmanuel Boadi- Happy FM
- Samuel Addo- Happy FM
- Ernest Della Aglanu –myjoyonline.com
- Kwame Owusu Acheampong- Happy FM
- Benjamin Mensah- Time FM
- Albert Leonard Yirenkyi-Happy FM
- Hannah Sekyi-Happy FM
- Edwin Appiah – myjoyonline.com
- Odeasempa Kwame Oware- Happy FM
- Ebenezer Acquah- Happy FM
- Daniel Delong- Happy FM/ETV
- Doris M. Adams- ETV
- Ohene-Bampoe Brenya- ETV
- Fati Shaibu-Ali – ETV
- Harijatu Yabah- Marhaba FM
- Thelma Botchway- Peace FM
- Abdallah S. Bako- Marhaba FM
- Deborah Agyei Amposah- Peace FM
- Asmau Bawa- Marhaba FM
- Aisha Ashir Habib- Marhaba FM
- Michael Botwe- Peace FM
- Abdul Wahab J. –Marhaba FM
- Kwame Nkrumah- Peace FM
- Salifu Abdul-Dahim- Marhaba FM
- Ernest Boamah- Multi TV
- Koby Gomez-Mensah – Starr FM
- Emmmanuel Bekoe- Peace FM
- Akua Adufa Mintah – Peace FM
- Gilbert Boyefio- Parliamentary News
- Papisdaff Abdullah Ali – Starr FM
- Maame Adjoa Nkwansiwah, Class Media Group
- Kwasi Agyeman- Peace FM
- Fred Dzakpata – Starr FM
- Naana Ntiri- Peace FM
- Osei Owusu Amankwah – Starr FM
- Faustine Akwa – myjoyonline.com
- Umar Sadat Larry – Hearts News
- Frederick Addae Ansah – Live FM, C. Coast
- Kwetey Nartey – Joy FM
- Malik Abass Daabu – myjoyonline.com
- Kwame Yeboah – Radio Silver
- Gloria Akpene Nyarku – Hitz FM
- Ebenezer Afenyi Dadzie – Citi FM
- Esinam Femersah – Joy FM
- Akosua Asiedua – myjoyonline.com
- Richard Ntow Gyan – Akyeah FM
- Richard Atenka – The Chroncile
- Eugene Akyea Mensah – The Chonicle
