UTAG Condemns Increasing Attacks On Journalists

The University Teachers Association of Ghana has added its voice to the growing number of voices condemning and calling for the arrest of persons behind the attacks on journalists in the country.

Describing the recent developments as act of violence and lawlessness, the Association said the attacks on the media and its practitioners were affront to the country’s growing democracy as they violate the freedom of expression as guaranteed by the fourth republican constitution.

“Congress of UTAG observed with sadness the increasing attacks on freedom of expression and of the media. These developments are not in the interest of our growing democratic dispensation. The recent attacks of journalists and some media houses are attacks on freedom of expression as guaranteed in Chapter 12, Article 162 of the 1992 constitution of the republic of Ghana,” the Association noted.

Journalists in this country have recently come under increasing threats following attacks perpetrated by dissatisfied individuals and groups. About a fortnight ago, Accra-based UTV had to abruptly end one of their late night talkshows after thugs who identified themselves as NPP members stormed the station and disrupted the live program in protest of an action by one of the guests.

The Police were able to quickly move in to quell the situation and arrested 16 members of the rebel group. Just last Friday, a female journalist, Akosua Otchere, who works with Citifm, was attacked while covering the vetting of the parliamentary candidate hopefuls of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Odododiodio constituency in Accra. Unlike the UTV case, no arrest has been made so far.

In a ten-point communique issued after the 21st biennial national congress held here in Tamale, UTAG commended the police for acting swiftly and making some arrest in the UTV case but called on the IGP to ensure that all perpetrators including those behind the assault on the Citifm’s reporter are arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent.

“While condemning these acts of violence and lawlessness, we commend the police for acting swiftly to arrest some individuals who recently attacked journalist and panelist of United Television. We call on the inspector General of Police to ensure that perpetrators of all attacks on Journalists, including the one on Citifm’s journalist, media houses and killing of journalist in this country are arrested and prosecuted without fail,” the communique said.

The Congress of the Varsity dons, hosted at the University for Development Studies was under the theme: “labour unionism and socioeconomic transformation in Ghana; Can UTAG be pacesetter?”

The congress brought together members of UTAG to brainstorm to find solutions to issues affecting the Association and country as well.