Jon Benjamin, outgoing UK High Commissioner to Ghana
Outgoing UK High Commissioner to Ghana Jon Benjamin has condemned what he calls “attack dog” journalism in Ghana.
“I think one concerning aspect is that in some parts of journalism, or what pretends to be journalism, is this ‘attack dog’ mentality – don’t talk about the issue, try and personally destroy the person who is raising the issue …” Mr Benjamin, who leaves Ghana in August this year, complained to Bernard Avle on Accra-based Citi FM’s Breakfast Show on Monday, 12 June.
Mr Benjamin said he had suffered such type of journalism during his three-year stay in the country as High Commissioner, saying people were set on him to destroy him.
“But I’m not going to mention any names, we know what we know…” he said.
Critics, including politicians, have had cause to cross swords with Mr Benjamin in the media owing to his outspoken nature and tweets on local affairs.
For instance, while MP for Builsa South Dr Clement Apaak once described Mr Benjamin as a “media whore”, colleague MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa accused him of having a “colonial mentality”.
Mr Benjamin was also trolled on social media for making a Harmattan joke which Ghanaians took serious exception to. “Oh, that nasty air outside all of a sudden. Did someone inaugurate the Harmattan already?” Mr Benjamin tweeted on December 27, 2016 to the chagrin of Ghanaians.
One of his favourite social media targets has been the founder of the International God's Way Church, Bishop Daniel Obinim. Mr Benjamin once taunted the controversial preacher to transmogrify into a snake after he was arrested for flogging two teenagers live on TV.
Mr Benjamin also got into trouble with the Ghana Football Association in October last year when he said: “…I have some questions about Kwesi Nyantakyi’s use of the funds he receives from FIFA. …What I have seen is GFA officials in very expensive (SUVs) Land Cruisers, what I haven’t seen is really good pitches at grassroots level for ordinary Ghanaians.”
The GFA quickly released a statement saying: “Mr Benjamin’s comments are at best stupendous ignorance or, at worst, sinister.”
In Mr Benjamin’s view, however, instead of people addressing the issues he raises, they rather launch attacks at him.
Mr Benjamin is billed to be replaced in August by Iain Walker who has been appointed by Her Majesty as the new British High Commissioner to the country.
Mr Benjamin would be transferred to another Diplomatic Service appointment.
