The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has described the recent attacks on journalists in their line of duty as a threat to the country’s growing democracy.
UTAG in a communiqué released after its 21st Biennial National Congress on Monday therefore called on the police to arrest individuals found to be behind the attack on Akosua Otchere, a Citi News journalist while covering the vetting of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary aspirants in the Odododiodio constituency.
Ms Otchere was assaulted by some alleged NDC thugs last Friday, October 13, 2023, while she was diligently performing her professional duties.
The assault took place at the NDC’s Greater Accra Regional Office in South La and resulted in Ms. Otchere suffering physical harm and the forcible seizure of her mobile phone.
“We call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure that perpetrators of all attacks on journalists, including the one on Citi FM journalists, media houses and killings of journalists in the country, are arrested and prosecuted without fail,” UTAG stated in the communiqué.
Meanwhile, Citi FM and Citi TV have condemned this unprovoked act of violence against a journalist as it represented a serious violation of media freedom and journalist safety, fundamental principles in any democratic society.
The management of Citi FM and Citi TV in a statement indicated that it had formally lodged a complaint at the La Police Station to ensure a lawful investigation into this matter. It is demanding swift and thorough action from the police administration to identify and apprehend those responsible for the assault on Ms. Otchere.
The NDC, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Information Ministry also issued statements condemning the incident and calling on the police to arrest and prosecute the attackers.
Click here to read UTAG’s full communiqué