The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Northern Region has ordered its former communications officer, Hardi Pagzaa, who is said to have allegedly attacked a Dagbon FM journalist earlier this week, to apologize to the person involved and the public at large, for his action.
This was made known by the NDC’s Northern Regional Secretary, Mohammed Abdul-Salam in an interview. He claimed that the reported attack on the journalist, Sadiq Gariba, came to the leadership of the party in the region as a surprise and therefore, triggered a decision where he was admonished to render an apology to both the journalist and the radio station.
NDC’s Regional Secretary exclaimed that Hardi Pagzaa was scolded and made to understand that the party will not countenance any attempts by any member or leader to dent its image publicly.
“If we have proven evidence of anybody putting the party’s name in a bad light and bringing the party to the public domain for ridicule, we will not hesitate to apply the full rules and regulations of the party because giving us bad light, tarnishes the party’s image, and we will not allow that.
“The conduct is not of our communications officer. This person is not any executive, he contested an internal election and lost, and he is not even a member of our communications team.”
Mohammed Abdul-Salam
The attack on the Tamale-based Dagbon FM and the journalist was captured in a video, which has gone viral on social media. The attack occurred on World Press Freedom Day on Wednesday, May 3, and has since attracted widespread condemnation from different quarters, including the Ghana Journalists Association.
Moreover, the Ministry of Information has also called for investigation and prosecution into the matter, following the attack on the journalist.
“The Ministry of Information has noted with concern reports of assault on a journalist at Dagbon FM, in Tamale. The Ministry condemns the act and urges the Ghana Police Service and relevant agencies to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. Attacks on journalists should not be countenanced. Severe and speedy response from law enforcement agencies is necessary to prevent copy-cat acts and maintain Ghana’s status in upholding press freedom.”
Ministry of Information
GJA Finds Fault With Attack On Dagbon FM Journalist
The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) condemned the alleged assault on a radio presenter with Tamale-based Dagbon FM, Sadiq Gariba, by a former Northern Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hardi Pagzaa.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, reacting to the circulating video, cautioned that the association will not countenance such acts on journalists in the country under his leadership.
“I want to use your platform to condemn this act. We have said countless times that under the current administration, no attack on journalists will be spared or go scot-free. We have made it clear that we will go the extra mile to protect the interest of journalists in this country.”
Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor
Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor claimed it was wrong for the NDC former Northern Regional Communications Officer to have rushed to the studio to assault the journalist.
“We are aware that Sadiq Gariba has suffered some injuries here and there, but we thank God that he is safe. He was just doing his job and he told his attacker not to use the Dagbon chieftaincy issue to gain political advantage. He did not attack the person of Hardi Pagzaa, if you don’t agree with him, you have the right to issue a rejoinder or seek clarification based on the relationship you have with the station. But not to go to the studio to attack a journalist, it was extreme.”
Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor
The GJA President indicated that the Association has referred the matter to a lawyer adding that the association has also made a complaint to the police.
“Though the party has condemned the act and disassociated itself from it, we think it’s commendable, it’s a good step, but we still think that there’s more they can do. On our part at the national level, as we speak now, we have referred the case to a lawyer, this is the reason why Journalists’ Support Fund was launched to protect the rights and freedom of journalists. The legal team has taken up the matter. We have also made a complaint to the police, and we have also petitioned the regional minister. It’s worrying that the incident happened the day we celebrated World Press Freedom Day.”
Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor
Dwumfour appealed to the NDC hierarchy to take action against their members involved in such acts.
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