NPP headquarters unsafe grounds; be wary – MFWA to journos

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) says the governing New Patriotic Party’s headquarters is an unsafe enclave for Journalists, cautioning members of the media to be wary of assignments at the offices of the party.

The MFWA said the safety and security of journalists cannot be guaranteed anymore on the back of the growing attacks on journalists by individuals at the governing NPP’s office.

“The NPP headquarters is becoming unsafe grounds for Journalists….and therefore if there should be an event there and journalists want to go there and cover perhaps they go with the mindset that they’re going to an unsafe ground and they need to have any back up in case of any particular violence unleashed on them.” the Executive Secreatary, Sulemana Braimah said in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM.

His pronouncement comes on the back of the assault on a journalist from The Multimedia Group at the NPP party’s office on Friday.

The staunch NPP supporter, Hajia Fati reportedly slapped the Adom FM reporter, Ohemaa Sakyiwaa Ahwenepa but said she only took that action because the reporter had not sought her permission before taking pictures of her, neither did she introduce herself as a journalist.

The victim had been dispatched to the NPP headquarters on Friday to report on events as suspended Second Vice Chairman of the party, Sammy Crabbe had gone to the office to pick forms to contest the party’s chairmanship position at the upcoming National Delegates Congress.

The incident was recorded just a day after the celebration of World Press Freedom Day here in Ghana.