The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Northern Region has ordered its former communications officer, Hardi Pagzaa, who allegedly assaulted a Dagbon FM journalist earlier this week, to repent to the victim and the general public.
In an interview, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, Northern Regional Secretary of the NDC, disclosed this information. He claimed that the reported assault on journalist Sadiq Gariba came as a surprise to the regional leadership of the party, which prompted a decision requiring him to apologize to both the journalist and the radio station.
The Regional Secretary of the NDC stated that Hardi Pagzaa was reprimanded and informed that the party will not tolerate any attempt by a member or leader to tarnish its public image.
"We will not hesitate to apply the full rules and regulations of the party if we have evidence of anyone putting the party's name in a poor light and bringing it into the public domain for ridicule, because doing so tarnishes the party's image, and we will not tolerate it.
"This is not the behavior of our communications officer. This individual is not a member of the executive team, he lost an internal election, and he is not even a member of our communications team."
Mohammed Abdul-Salam
The assault on the Tamale-based Dagbon FM radio station and the journalist was documented on a video that has gone viral on social media. The assault occurred on May 3, World Press Freedom Day, and has since drawn widespread condemnation from a variety of parties, including the Ghana Journalists Association.
Following the journalist's assault, the Ministry of Information has also demanded an investigation and prosecution into the matter.
"The Ministry of Information has taken note with concern of reports that a journalist at Dagbon FM in Tamale has been assaulted." The Ministry condemns the conduct and requests that the Ghana Police Service and other relevant agencies investigate and prosecute those responsible. Attacks against journalists are unacceptable. To prevent copycat acts and maintain Ghana's reputation for upholding press freedom, Ghana's law enforcement agencies must respond swiftly and harshly.
Mohammed Abdul-Salam
GJA Finds Fault With Assault On Journalist From Dagbon FM
Hardi Pagzaa, a former Northern Regional Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is accused of assaulting Sadiq Gariba, a radio presenter with Tamale-based Dagbon FM. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) condemned the incident.
Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor
In response to the circulating video, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, warned that the association will not tolerate such actions against journalists in the country while he is in charge.
"I would like to use your platform to denounce this conduct. We have repeatedly stated that under the current administration, no attack on journalists will go unpunished. We have made it plain that we will go above and beyond to protect the interests of journalists in this nation."
Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor
Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor argued that the former Northern Regional Communications Officer of the NDC should not have raced to the studio to assault the journalist.
"We are aware that Sadiq Gariba has sustained various injuries, but we praise God that he is secure. He was simply performing his duties when he warned his assailant against using the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute for political gain. He did not assault Hardi Pagzaa's person; if you disagree with him, you have the right to respond or seek clarification, depending on your relationship with the station. To assault a journalist without entering the studio was extreme."
Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor
The President of the GJA stated that the Association has referred the matter to an attorney and that the Association has also filed a police report.
"Although the party has condemned the conduct and dissociated itself from it, we believe it is commendable and a positive step, but we believe they can do more. As we speak, we have referred the matter to a lawyer at the national level; this is why the Journalists' Support Fund was established to protect the rights and freedom of journalists. The legal team has assumed responsibility. Additionally, we have filed a police report and petitioned the regional minister. The fact that the incident occurred on World Press Freedom Day is unsettling."
Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor
Dwumfour urged the NDC hierarchy to take action against members who had committed such offenses.