Awutu Senya East’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) has taken issue with the Ghana Journalists Association’s instruction to media representatives not to report on events involving Mavis Hawa Koomson, the MP for the constituency.
Following an assault on a journalist during the NPP’s screening of parliamentary candidates in Cape Coast, this directive was issued.
The NPP argues that the directive was unjust because the MP’s camp was not involved in the attack’s planning or execution.
Ohene Kwame David, a reporter for Cape FM, reportedly suffered an attack during the parliamentary vetting procedure.
After the event, he claimed that his assailants had previously questioned his reporting against Awutu Senya East MP Mavis Hawa Koomson on UTV and had worn t-shirts with the MP’s name on them.
David added that it’s possible that his assailants thought he was his brother, a UTV employee.
The MP responded to these claims by denying any involvement from her camp and requesting a comprehensive investigation.
Nevertheless, on Thursday, January 25, 2024, the GJA sent out a directive telling reporters not to cover the Awutu Senya East MP.
The leadership of the NPP in Awutu Senya East has deemed this directive to be unfair.
Michael Addy, the constituency secretary for Awutu Senya East in the NPP, expressed disappointment at a press conference that the MP’s office had not received any updates on the investigation since the GJA first contacted the MP.
He also objected to a statement from the president of the GJA, claiming that the MP hangs out with people who carry out violent crimes, even in houses and mosques.
Mr. Addy insisted that this statement be taken back and that the MP be apologized to.
The party has requested that before making any judgments, the GJA carry out a more thorough investigation.
All of the MP’s team members were not involved in the attack, according to the NPP, which claims to have carried out its own internal investigation within the MP’s camp.
