The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is calling for a swift action against Rev. Owusu Bempah’s men for attacking and assaulting journalists during his [Bempah’s] trial at the Accra Circuit Court.
Muscled men from the Glorious Word Power Ministry International prevented journalists assigned to cover Owusu Bempah’s case at the court on Monday morning.
In a signed statement issued on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, the association says the media fraternity has “endured excruciating pain” following the action of said men.
“With all the vehemence it can muster, the GJA condemns the latest desecration of the rights of journalists and affront of press freedom and demands swift justice against the uncouth men of Owusu Bempah”, the statement from the Association said.
According to the GJA’s president, Affail Monney, the apology and the assurance from the rebranded Ghana Police Service should not absolve the offenders from tasting the biting edge of the law as articulated by Article 17 (1) of the Constitution which says no one is above the law.
Mr. Monney cited two situations in which Rev. Bempah and his men walked free despite breaking the law in broad day light.
For example, Owusu Bempah, together with four gun wielding men, molested some staff of Radio XYZ on March 15, 2019 while in search of a radio presenter at the station.
Again, the same man of God vandalized equipment at Hot FM on December 13, 2018 without facing any consequences.
The statement therefore urged the police not to allow the recent attack on journalists go unpunished to deter other offenders from future occurrences.
