Ghana to protest the 'detention' of Ghanaian Journalists in Ethiopia

From: George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA Special Correspondent in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, May 28, GNA - Mr Kwesi Quartey, Ghana's Ambassador to Ethiopia, has stated that he would file an official protest to the Government of Ethiopia for the 'detention' of Ghanaian Journalists and the subsequent seizure of their Television Cameras at the Addis Ababa International Airport. He said: "This is the second time the Customs and Revenue officials at the Airport have troubled Ghanaian Journalists who come here on official duties."


Mr Quartey, who was speaking to Ghana News Agency in an interview over the issue said: "the officials behaved the same way towards the Media when President John Evans Atta Mills" came here recently on an official duty." He said he would write to the Director of the Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Ministry to protest against what he described as "unfair treatment they often mete out to our media and other officials who visit Ethiopia to transact business."

On Wednesday May 25, seven Ghanaian Journalists who were in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, were held 'hostage' for three hours for carrying Television cameras without an official notice from the Government of Ghana. Although the Journalists from Ghana News Agency, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation Radio and Television, TV3 and Crystal Clear Lens, explained that they were part of the advanced team of Vice President John Mahama, the officials did not budge.


The intervention of the Embassy officials did not convince the Customs officers who went ahead to seize the cameras and subsequently made them to pay penalties the next day.