The Ghana Journalists Association is urging the Ghana Police Service to detain and prosecute Farouk Aliu Mahama, the member of parliament for Yendi, and his associates for allegedly beating up a Citi TV/FM reporter during the recently concluded New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries.
On Saturday, January 27, 2024, the legislator and his allies are said to have attacked Mohammed Aminu M. Alabira, the Northern Regional Correspondent for the media outlet based in Accra.
The MP is accused of kicking and slapping Alabira during a live broadcast on Citi TV and Citi FM regarding the violence that broke out during the ballot counting. This caused Alabira to fall to the ground, whereupon the lawmaker’s supporters attacked him.
It required the efforts of security guards who were present when the alleged assault happened to save the poor journalist who was just going about his job.
The incident has deeply troubled and infuriated the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), which has denounced it as a “antediluvian act.” The GJA denounced the assault as vulgar and petty in a strongly worded press release, expressing particular dismay that a Member of Parliament was allegedly responsible for the act.
The association demanded that the Ghana Police Service apprehend the MP right away for what they considered to be a “barbaric act,” appealing for prompt action from law enforcement.
“The GJA will work assiduously with the Police to ensure that justice is served in this matter,” according to the press release,
It underlined how dedicated the Regional and National Executives are to safeguarding journalists in the area, particularly when they are going about their legal business without interference.
The GJA also sent out a strong warning to the public and politicians, stating unequivocally that they will not put up with any kind of abuse directed towards journalists, especially as the political season heats up. The association demanded that all parties condemn these acts together and uphold the media’s crucial role in guaranteeing a free and fair democratic process.
As the incident continues to garner attention, stakeholders are anticipating a prompt and decisive response from the Ghana Police Service regarding those responsible for the alleged assault on the journalist.
