GJA Demands Immediate Action Against Owusu Bempah’s Men for Attacking Journalists
Story by: Akesi Duncan
The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has demanded that immediate action be taken against certain loyalists of the head pastor of Glorious Word Power Ministries International, Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah.
This follows as stated by the GJA an inglorious attack perpetrated on a group of court reporters at the premises of an Accra High Court on Tuesday, where he(Rev Owusu Bempah) is standing for trial for alleged assault and other offenses.
A press release signed by the president of GJA, Mr Affail Monney indicates that “with brazen impunity, well muscled men of the church reportedly prevented the court reporters from gaining access to the room to perform their legitimate duty and visited mayhem on those who dared them”. GJA condemns the latest desecration of the rights of journalists and affront of press freedom. It hence demands swift justice against the uncouth men of Rev Owusu Bempah.
The GJA further indicates that though it accepts the apology of the police administration and the assurance of future protection of journalists, it however is of the view that this timely gesture of the Ghana Police does not and should not prevent the offenders from tasting the biting edge of the law as articulated by Article 17(1) of the constitution that no one is above the law.
The release further explains that on Friday March 15, 2019, Rev Owusu Bempah is said to have stormed the premises of Radio XYZ in the company of four gun wielding thugs in search of a radio presenter at the station. In the process, the administrator and staff of the station were molested. However nothing punitive happened to Rev Bempah.
In a similar incident, on the 13 of December, 2018, Rev Bempah is reported to have apparently been driven by red hot anger to vandalize equipments at Hot FM, he again walked away with impunity.
“it is needless to note that Owusu Bempah and his followers did and said anything with careless abandon and naked impunity until the air of untouchability surrounding them was punctured with the latest arrest”.
While the trial is ongoing, the GJA urges the law and order community not to allow the latest attacks against journalists be over shadowed by the dominant case or swept under the carpet.
“Justice must manifestly and expeditiously be done the victims to amplify the message that no one is indeed above the law”, It further added.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
