We will fight to repel attacks on journalists - GJA President

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has said that they will fight to repel various attacks launched on journalists in their line of duty.

According to the President of the Association, Mr. Affail Monney, attacks on journalists in the country is unfortunate, adding that it is about time adequate steps are taken to ensure the safety of journalists in the country.

Speaking at a seminar held by the Association for journalists following the brutal murder of Ahmed Hussein-Suale an undercover investigator for the Tiger Eye PI at the Ghana International Press Centre, Mr. Monnie noted that the seminar is one of the arsenals the Association is unleashing to repel ferocious attacks against the media industry and also draw the attention of the authorities on the safety of journalists in the country.

He said since hosting of the “World Press Freedom Day” in May last year with all the plaudits showered on Ghana, media practitioners have come under attacks from all fronts with the police and politicians leading the onslaught, the height of such was the brutal killing of investigative journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale by gun men on Wednesday, January 16, 2019, an act which dents the highly improved credentials of Ghana on the safety of journalists in the country.

"Even though Ghana is still holding the attention of the World in respect of press freedom credentials, journalists are sad, their pride has been riddled with gloom and are drenched in tears because their lives are allegedly in danger. He has therefore called on the government to deal with the subject matter thoroughly as it demands," he said.

Nonetheless, we will fight to continually protects journalist in the country to enable them dispense their duties effectively without fear or favour. We are therefore pleading with the security agencies and the government to in their own interest ensure the safety of the Ghanaian journalist.

A Former Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group and now the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Mr. Ken Ashigbey said the time has come for journalists to mount pressure on government to bring perpetrators who attack them to book by constantly campaigning for their rights.

He said the death of Ahmed Hussein-Suale is unfortunate and so from the 20th of February 2019 which is a Wednesday (and every other Wednesday),every journalist should wear black to signify their grieve and unhappiness about the reluctance of government and the Ghana Police in urgently addressing the murder of their colleague.

He also cautioned journalists to unite in solidarity to resist attacks, adding that the GJA should set up complaint centers across the country for journalist to address various issues of attacks and maltreatment meted out to them in line of their duties.