Minority reacts to detention of TV Africa crew

Accra, July 26, GNA - The Minority in Parliament on Tuesday expressed its indignation at the conduct of security personnel stationed at President Jphn Agyekum Kufuor's private residence, who last Friday arrested and detained three TV Africa crew for filming the now famous "Hotel Kufuor/Waah Waah".

A statement issued by the Minority and signed by Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minority Spokesman on Communication, said they unreservedly condemn the incident as an affront to press freedom and clear case of human rights violations.


"We are equally appalled by the comments of the IGP for apologising on the conduct of the security personnel and in the same breath seeking to justify the incident by references to irrelevant occurrences of the past."


"We the Minority also wish to draw attention to the general inconvenience the President's decision to continue to reside in a private residential area is causing the general neighbourhood especially after huge sums of money were spent to renovate the Castle for exactly that purpose.

"We would like to issue a caution to the relatively new IGP to desist from descending into the arena of politics and that in future, the IGP should avoid not too helpful innuendoes and catch phrases like 'identification hair cuts'."


The statement said whilst the incident of "identification hair cuts" was regrettable, "it is our view that the use of the President's private residence as a detention camp is not only unacceptable but also indeed reprehensible."


It concluded by extending their solidarity to the affected TV Africa crew and pledged their support.