Joining the national condemnation of some supposed NPP youth’s attack on a live show at UTV, former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has said the attack indicated how the government has allowed impunity to thrive.
He cited similar incidents where culprits were not brought to book.
Hence, Professor Frimpong-Boateng accused the government of creating an enabling environment for such attacks.
“Perhaps, these thugs have taken cue from how the government and the party have allowed impunity to foster and grow in the NPP.
“If I recall, no one was allowed to be punished when similar groups went to the seat of government in the Ashanti region to attack the then national security coordinator. Again, no one was made to face the law, when these brutes attacked a court in Kumasi making the lady judge who was sitting on that case run for her life in the full glare of the public.”
Professor Frimpong-Boateng
Meanwhile, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has condemned the attack on the United Television and has called on the Ghana Police Service to prosecute the attackers. The GJA, in a statement, indicated that it expects the police to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators expeditiously just as they exemplarily and commendably executed in the case of the attack on Dagbon FM in Tamale, in May this year.
The GJA also called on the government, non-government organizations, Civil Society organizations, The Diplomatic Community, International Agencies, and all well-meaning Ghanaians and people of good conscience to roundly condemn the act.
GJA Expresses Disappointment At Information Minister’s Statement
Furthermore, the GJA also expressed disappointment in the statement of the Minister of Information on the incident. The Minister’s statement, the GJA said, was in sharp contrast to the statement he issued in May this year condemning the attack on a radio presenter on Dagbon FM in Tamale.
The GJA called on the media to be bold and never be intimidated by such acts of hooliganism and to act professionally at all times in the discharge of their duties.
Also, on the resumption of the show, Kwame Asare Obeng (A-Plus), a panelist on the show blamed the NPP for the attacks.
“My checks show that the NPP is not behind this action. I am hearing that Owusu-Bempah is the one who instigated this.”
Kwame Asare Obeng (A-Plus)
However, Owusu-Bempah in a statement asked him to retract and apologize else he would sue him for defamation.
“Let me put on record that these accusations and defamatory statements were made without any substantiation or lawful justification. I have made a formal complaint to the police regarding the threat made to my life.
“On the other hand, I am by this statement demanding a retraction of A-Plus’s defamatory words and an unqualified apology. If he should fail or refuse to do that, then I would have no other option than to instruct my lawyers to institute legal action for the damage and injury caused to my integrity.”
Owusu-Bempah
However, Mr. Richard Ahiagbah, on his visit to the studios soon after the attack, denied that the NPP plotted the attack. He further assured that the NPP will cooperate with the police on investigations into the matter.
On Saturday, some supposed youth of the NPP attacked a live show at UTV. The group said their attach was triggered by a panelist disrespecting the NPP by tearing a letter alleged to emanate from the party calling for a reform of the show. According to the group, the reform was necessary to allow the party empanel a representative to defend it on some political comments made on previous editions of the show.
the police has arrested 16 persons to help with investigations into the matter.
The act has received mass condemnation from the public.
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