GIBA condemns NPP’s Hajia Fati

The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has condemned the attacks on Multi Media Group journalist by Hajia Fati, a supporter of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), at the party’s headquarters in Accra.

President of GIBA, Andrew Danso Anikorah, told Obeng Mensah Katakyie, sit-in host of the Ghana Yensom show on Accra 100.5FM on Tuesday May 8 that: “It is unfortunate that journalists are attacked in line with their duties, we must all condemn the action by Hajia Fati.

“Today Police officers are attacking journalists, tomorrow politicians are attacking journalists, this is a disturbing phenomenon and we must all condemn it.”

“Other professionals are going about their duties without being attacked and so why are journalists being assaulted all the time?” He quizzed.

Madam Fati has been accused of slapping an Adom FM journalist who was covering events at the NPP’s headquarters on Friday as the party’s suspended Second National Vice Chair, Sammy Crabbe, went to pick his nomination forms.

She allegedly slapped Ohemaa Sekyiwaa as she tried taking pictures of her at the party’s headquarters.

According to Ohemaa Sekyiwaa, Hajia Fati was infuriated at Mr Crabbe, for coming to the party's headquarters to pick nomination forms to contest in the upcoming elections. In her bid to get an interview, the embittered Hajia Fati smashed the reporter's phone and punched her mouth, accusing her of working for Mr Crabbe.

The Ghana Journalists Association has also condemned the attack.

GJA President Roland Affail Monney at a press conference in Accra on Monday, 7 May 2018 said : “What is more worrying is that some of her attacks on journalists including Adom FM reporter’s case were launched at the NPP headquarters, giving the impression, even if erroneously, that the ruling party endorses her violence on us.

“The GJA is considering various options including legal action to end such impunity against journalists, which we consider to be a violent attack on press freedom.”