Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has dismissed claims by Ghana Journalists Association President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour that seven journalists have been assaulted since President Mahama assumed office.
At a press conference on Tuesday, February 18, Mr. Dwumfour criticized the administration for what he described as a rising number of attacks on journalists within the first 50 days of Mahama’s presidency.
But addressing the Press at the Presidency on Wednesday, February 19, Kwakye Ofosu called the claims misleading, emphasizing that no journalist in Ghana has been attacked for criticizing the president.
He explained that Dwumfour’s remarks were unclear and incorrectly suggested that the assaults were politically motivated but the incidents occurred while journalists were simply performing their duties.
Kwakye Ofosu noted that some of these attacks, including those during the recent Council of State elections, are matters for the police and are not linked to President Mahama’s administration. He reiterated that safeguarding the rights and freedoms of journalists is a top priority for Mahama, and that the government is committed to protecting them.
He confirmed that government officials and executives from the Ghana Journalists Association will meet next week to further discuss the issue, urging the public to reject the claim that seven journalists were assaulted linking it to Mahama’s administration.
