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Charges against UTV invaders woefully minimal – GJA, PRINPAG, GIBA
Mr Dwumfuor briefing the press Photo Victor A. Buxton
Leadership of three media unions have described as woefully minimal, charges imposed on individuals that invaded the studios of UTV to disrupt its late night entertainment show, Universal Showbiz.
The unions include the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and the Private Newspaper and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG).
The individuals were convicted and fined GH¢2,400 each for conspiracy to commit crime and rioting by an Achimota Magistrate Court on Tuesday.
Addressing a joint press conference in Accra on Wednesday in reaction to the punishment, the three unions said the charge was not enough to serve as deterrent to people who attack journalists.
Led by the President of the GJA, Mr Albert Dwumfour said the charges were minimal and soft-handed.
According to the GJA President, the charge of conspiracy to commit crime and rioting, which formed the basis for the imposition of the fine on the suspects by the court, was not far-reaching and thorough enough.
He doubted why charges including unlawful entry, rioting, rioting with weapons, assault and battery, causing harm and threat of harm were not preferred against them.
That, he said could result in the imposition of stiffer punishments and deter others from attacking journalists.
He appealed to the judiciary to consider offences against the media as aggravating with the tendency to put fear in the media, leading to self-censorship and promotion of culture of silence.
The associations, Mr Dwumfour stated, would consider supporting the affected members to either urge the prosecution to consider appealing against the sentence or criticise the decision of the court.
While condemning the recent attack on the Citi TV/FM journalist by supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Odododiodoo constituency, he called on the police to act swiftly and arrest the culprits to ensure they face the law.
The GIBA President, Mr Cecil Thomas Sunkwa-Mills, also called on media organisations to provide appropriate protective gears to journalists in order to guard their safety in line of duty.
According to Mr Sunkua-Mills, protective gears such as helmets, bulletproof vests, gas masks, or first aid kits would protect their staff and
ensure they were free from attacks especially heading into the general elections in 2024.
Mr Sunkwa-Mills indicated that, journalists must also take their personal security into their own hands and stay away from danger while carrying out their assignments.
“Let us focus on in-house safety. It is important to take personal responsibility by using appropriate gears,” he stated.
He also asked journalists to report threats and harassment to their organisation, police, local authorities and relevant press freedom organisations.
The Acting (Ag) Executive Secretary for PRINPAG, Mr Jeorge Wilson Kingson, said the fine was small and fell short of serving its intended purpose of deterring miscreants from repeating such acts.
PRINPAG, he noted, was committed to the protection of journalists and the safeguarding of media freedom in Ghana, adding that “we stand united in our resolve to promote a society that respects and upholds the rights of media personnel
By Michael D. Abayateye
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
