Journalist interdicted for alleged blackmail, extortion

Nana Okyere Gyampa, a Journalist accused of extortion and blackmail has been interdicted by his employers, Class Media Group after his case was referred to the Police CID on Wednesday by the Ghana Journalists Association(GJA) for further investigations.

A Press Statement by his employers, Class Media Group said it took a serious view of the allegations of blackmail against Nana Gyampa by the GJA.

“Management has, therefore, commenced immediate investigations into the matter for the necessary action to be taken. As the first step, Nana Gyampa has been interdicted. Management wishes to assure our cherished listeners and discerning public that the CMG values transparency, honesty and ethical journalism and we will continue to adhere to the highest standard of journalism,” it added.

The reporter of Accra FM, Nana Okyere Gyampa, is alleged to have persistently demanded five million cedis from the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) as a condition for dropping an alleged “negative story” against the company.

A statement by the GJA President, Affail Monney said Nana Okyere Gyampa during a preliminary investigations and interrogation by the GJA on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at the Ghana International Press Centre admitted to the unethical behaviour but was unrepentant as he again sent a WhatsApp message to the MD today (Wednesday November 14, 2018) in which he threatened to go ahead to publish damaging stories against the ECG boss as punishment for leaking to the GJA the five million cedi demand he had made.

The statement added that the “Association finds the behaviour of Nana Gyampa , before, during and after its investigation as unrepentant, arrogant, reprehensible, unacceptable , mercenary and a clear breach of Article 10 of the GJA Code of Ethics which states that a journalist “ does not accept a bribe or any form of inducement to influence the performance of his or her professional duties.”

“The CID must therefore investigate the case further and allow the law to take its course.”