The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has condemned an attack on Kumasi-based radio station FOX FM and its panelist during a political discussion and has charged the New Patriotic Party to in the strongest possible terms condemn the attack.
The attack happened during an afternoon political programme on Monday April 25, 2016 during which the host of the programme, Kwaku Kyere and a panel member Mr. Baah Acheamfuor were physically assaulted following what is suspected to be a comment made about the NPP by the said panel member even though the party was not the subject for discussion.
The attackers stormed the station on motorbikes, overpowered security men at the premises and violently entered the studios. According to various media reports corroborated by Nana Anokye, a producer of the programme, upon entering the studios, the well-built attackers pounced on Mr. Acheamfuor. The Presenter of the show, Kwaku Kyere, was also hit by the attackers. The police were called to save the situation but they arrived after the attackers had sped off on their motorbikes.
Mr. Acheamfuor is said to be a known supporter of the opposition NPP but a fierce critic of the party’s leader Nana Akufo-Addo. In September 2015, there were reports in the media indicating that Mr. Acheamfuor was to face disciplinary actions by the NPP for making certain allegations against some leaders of the party. Earlier in May, Mr. Acheamfuor had accused the party’s leader of failing to unite factions within the party.
A statement issued by the MFWA said “the attack on the radio station, the programme host and panelist extremely worrying and distasteful. The incident epitomises intolerance for dissenting political views and criticism and a belief that violence can be a solution for muting critical voices in political discourse.”
According to the statement, the attack on the radio station brings to light the need for media organisations to prioritise safety of their workers and deploy mechanisms for ensuring same.
“We also call on the NPP to condemn the incident in the strongest possible terms and pronounce its intolerance for such violent acts by any groups or individuals in the name of the party. Such condemnation and pronouncement will help discourage any groups or persons from resorting to such condemnable acts.”
By: Azongo Albert | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
