Journalists Not Targets; We’re Just Tightening Every Aspect of Our Social Fabric – Police

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The Ghana Police Service has refuted claims that they are targeting the media following the recent arrest of some Journalists.

The service says their actions are purely based on compliance with the law and not an attempt to cower elements of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.

About four Journalists and Activists have been arrested by the police for making one allegation or the other on radio or social media, leading to concerns about a possible return to the dark days of criminal libel where many Journalists were incarcerated over publications they made.

Kwabena Bobie Ansah, a Presenter at Accra FM, was on Thursday, February 10, 2022, arrested for alleging that First and Second Ladies, Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Samira Bawumia have stolen State lands.

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He also posted on Facebook that, “this current judicial system is corrupt and made up of crooks and criminals, led by a corrupt Chief Justice who’s struggling to purge himself from a $5m thievery allegations. Facts are sacred”.

He is charged with offensive conduct.

Earlier this month, Onua TV’s Morning Show host, Blessed Godsbrain Smart was detained by National Security Operatives after he had been granted bail by the court following his arrest over extortion.

He was detained along with another staff, Eric Dadzie Copperfield, popularly called DJ GH Boy who is also facing charges of abetment to extort.

On February 8, 2022, a Journalist with Power FM, Oheneba Boamah Bennie was handed a 14 day jail term over his claims against President Akufo-Addo and judges.

He was arrested on December 14, 2020, by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service for threatening and insulting President Nana Akufo-Addo.

In the same month of February, a Journalist with Takoradi-based Connect FM, Eric Nana Gyetuah was allegedly assaulted by five policemen at a popular restaurant on Thursday, February 3, for taking pictures of some suspects in the company of police officers.

This notwithstanding, the Police Service insists they are fair, firm and professional in handling of cases of arrests not limited to journalists

The Director-General of Public Affairs at the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Kwesi Ofori speaking in an interview on Peace FM‘s morning show ‘Kokrokoo‘, was emphatic saying, “we’re not targeting Journalists . . . anyone who makes an unfounded statement will be dealt with whether a media man or not. We are tightening every aspect of our social fabric when it comes to the police mandate. It is the law that is working.“

Listen to him in the video below