The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is appalled by the recent assault on Yahya Kwamoah, a reporter of the state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) by presidential staffer Stan Dogbe.
Media reports corroborated by Director of Radio at the GBC, Affail Monney, indicate that Stan Dogbe seized and smashed a voice recorder of the journalist who had gone to the 37 Military Hospital to follow up on an accident involving the presidential press corps.
Director of Radio, Affail Monney who confirmed the incident to the MFWA, said the reporter has made a formal report to Management and that the issue is being investigated.
The MFWA finds Dogbe’s conduct rather embarrassing and shameful, particularly because of his status as a presidential staffer and a former journalist. Dogbe should be the last person to antagonise the media, knowing the difficult conditions under which journalists in Ghana work and the important role they play in advancing democracy.
We are also alarmed at the silence on this matter of GBC whose employee is the victim of the assault. Given that assault is a criminal offense, we urge the Management of GBC to report the matter to the police for investigations. We call on the presidency also to conduct a thorough investigation into the conduct of Stan Dogbe in this matter and take the appropriate action.
Finally, the MFWA urges media practitioners to assert themselves and go about their duties with dignity and professionalism at all times in order to earn the respect they deserve from the public. Media organisations should equally take the necessary action to promote the safety of their employees.
