Journalists from over 40 media organisations across Ghana are calling on President John Dramani Mahama to demand sanctions against his staffer, Mr. Stan Dodge, who assaulted a Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) journalist nearly two months ago.
Some 155 journalists from over 40 media organisations across Ghana have joined the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to petition President John Dramani Mahama to demand sanctions against his staffer, Mr. Stan Dodge.
The petition follows Mr. Dogbe’s assault of Mr. Yahayah Kwamoah, a journalist with state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) nearly two months ago. In an incident that many have described as shameful and embarrassing, the presidential staffer seized and destroyed the journalist’s recording equipment at the 37 Military Hospital.
The GBC journalist had gone to the hospital to follow-up on development around the presidential press corps who had been involved in a serious accident that left one journalist dead and others serious injured.
“It is important to point out that the aggression by your staffer happened at a sad moment for journalists when colleagues covering your office had been involved in a serious accident that resulted in the death of one colleague with others sustaining serious injuries,” the petitioners said.
The petition notes: “We are concerned that over a month after the incident, and despite the several pleas from many people and organisations, your office has not acted on the matter.”
“It is our considered view that the conduct of a staff of your highly esteemed office has a direct bearing on the reputation of the office. We, therefore, call on you to show personal commitment to the rights of journalists and your intolerance of acts that may bring your highly esteemed office into disrepute,” the petition demands.
The full petition to the president is below:
His Excellency
President of the Republic of Ghana
Flagstaff House
Accra
September 30, 2015
Your Excellency,
Petition – Abuse of Journalist by Stan Dogbe
On 20th August, 2015, your staff, Mr. Stan Dogbe, assaulted Mr Yahyah Kwamoah, a journalist with the Ghana Broadcasting
Corporation (GBC). In a rather bizarre conduct, Mr. Dogbe seized and destroyed the voice recorder of the journalist at the 37 Military hospital where the journalist had been to report on the accident involving the Presidential Press Corps.
Since the incident happened, many notable personalities, journalists and organisations have called on your esteemed office to take action against the Presidential staffer. These demands for action were partly because of our concern about the damage caused to the reputation of your high office by the incident.
It is important to point out that the aggression and untoward conduct by your staffer happened at a sad moment for journalists, when colleagues covering your office had been involved in a serious accident that resulted in the death of one journalist and left several others seriously injured.
We are concerned that nearly two months after the incident, and despite the several pleas from many people and organisations your office has not acted on the matter.
It is our considered view that the conduct by a staff of your highly esteemed office has a direct bearing on the reputation of the office. We, therefore, join the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in calling on you to demonstrate your personal commitment to the rights and safety of journalists, and also your intolerance of acts that may bring your highly esteemed office into disrepute by taking appropriate actions against Mr. Stan Dogbe.
Yours Sincerely,
Signed:
Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, Freelance Journalist
Agya Kwaku Ogboro, Daily Guide
Eric Bawah, Classic FM
Dela Aku Russel, Daily Graphic
Twumasi Ampofo, Hot FM
Doreen Avio – Hitz FM
Philip M. Ampofo, Hot FM
Sarah B. Ampofo, Hot FM
Charles Takyi Boadu, Daily Guide
Addo George – Joy FM
Beverly Broohm – Hitz FM
Zainab Issah, Daily Graphic
Samson Lardi Ayenini, Multi Tv, Joy FM, Lawyer
Samuel Dowuona, Adom FM
Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, The Chronicle
Bawah Alimatu Wiabriga, Bishara Radio
Afia Agyapomaa Ofosu, TV Africa
Nii Ogbamey Tetteh, Daily Guide
Erasmus Kwaw, Liguid Sports Ghana
Manasseh Awuni Azuri, Joy FM
Nana Boakye Yiadom, Citi FM
Ama Bawa, ATL FM
Nasara Saibu, Starr FM
Joojo Cobbinah, Multi TV
Ernest Quansah, Melody FM
K Boafo, Hot FM
Charles Asare, Hot FM
Euphemia Akpalu – Hitz FM
Eunice Attakora Manu, Angel FM
Obeng Kwaku, Hot FM
David Andoh – myjoyonline.com
Ebenezer Amuzu, Hot FM
Rahmatu Alhassan, Filla FM
Safik Mohammed, footballgh.com
Bills Gborgli – Adom FM
Ernest Kofi Adu, Daily Guide
John Wesley Danquah, Hot FM
Latifah Oppong Baffour, Breeze FM
Jones Owuraku Mantey, Hot FM
Suraya Titi Alidu, Kapital Radio
Emmanuel Afari Quaye, Space FM
Nana Asare Kwaku Boadu, Cape FM
Nancy Portia Cudjoe, Hot FM
Offei-Akoto Ayeh, A1 Radio
Evans Obiri Appiah, Today Newspaper
Edward Blagogee, Today Newspaper
Obeng Kwaku, Hot FM
Douglas Sakyi, Hot FM
Albert Sore, Joy News Upper West Regional Correspondent
Nana Oye Diabene, Freelance
Yaro Ismail, Might FM
Abena Korantema, Hot FM
Afia Badu Kwarten, Hot FM
MacParadise Okocha, Happy FM
Ato Keelson, Today Newspaper
Benedict Owusu – Joy FM
Napo Ali Fuseini, Today Newspaper,
Koryekpor Freeman, Today Newspaper
Richard Kwasi Adjei Agyapong, Today Newspaper
Smart Takyi Nixon, Hedjorle Online Radio
Frank Agyam – Asempa FM
Moses Rexford Kumah, Hedjorle Online Radio
Yaw Yirenkyi Lamptey, Today Newspaper
Mwini Gabriel, Radio Progress
Nick Opoku – Joy FM
Nana Kwame Dankwah, Hot FM
Henry Harding, Hot FM
Thomas Freeman Yeboah, Hot FM
Stephen Assan, Hot FM
Amoah Elijah, Freelancer
Mohammed Abdul Malik, Zuria FM
Nyarko Abronoma, Vision One FM
Mohammed Mutaka, Diamond FM
Abdulai Abdul Gafaru, Diamond FM
Mohammed Ibn Abdallah, Diamond FM
Sey Mubarik , Kesmi FM
Abdulai Abdul Majeed , Diamond FM
Abdul Kareem Abdul Gafaru, Diamond FM
Abdulai Sayibu Terry, Bishara FM
Amorotee Ibrahim, Justice FM
Queissi Appiah Lawrence – Hitz FM
Osman Abdul Hafiz- Might FM
Abdulai M. Rafik – North Star Radio
Emmanuel Akli – The Chronicle
Joseph Ackon-Mensah, Student Journalist, Jayee University
Osei Kofi Serebour, Freelance Journalist
Nana Kyei – Freelance
Joe Debrah- Happy FM
Eric K. Adjanor- Atinka FM
Pratt Jude- Atinka FM
Nathaniel Obeng- Atinka FM
Edward Akuffo- Atinka FM
Jerry Tsatsu Mordy- Atinka FM
Richard Gyamfi- Time FM
Bashiru Bukari- West End Radio
Isaac Nuamah Yeboah- Atinka FM
Kofi Larweh- Ghana Community Radio Network
Osman Nuhu- Gmantambu Radio
Adugbire Cletus- A1 Radio
Samuel Sikkayena- Time FM
Ishmael Atiemo- Atinka FM
Kwesi Sarpong- Happy FM
Rahael Asamoah- Peace FM
Samuel Dortey Kumah- Peace FM
Kwakye Kwabena- Happy FM
Isaac Oduro- Peace FM
Yaa Asamoah- Happy FM
Emmanuel Boadi- Happy FM
Samuel Addo- Happy FM
Ernest Della Aglanu -myjoyonline.com
Kwame Owusu Acheampong- Happy FM
Benjamin Mensah- Time FM
Albert Leonard Yirenkyi-Happy FM
Hannah Sekyi-Happy FM
Edwin Appiah – myjoyonline.com
Odeasempa Kwame Oware- Happy FM
Ebenezer Acquah- Happy FM
Daniel Delong- Happy FM/ETV
Doris M. Adams- ETV
Ohene-Bampoe Brenya- ETV
Fati Shaibu-Ali – ETV
Harijatu Yabah- Marhaba FM
Thelma Botchway- Peace FM
Abdallah S. Bako- Marhaba FM
Deborah Agyei Amposah- Peace FM
Asmau Bawa- Marhaba FM
Aisha Ashir Habib- Marhaba FM
Michael Botwe- Peace FM
Abdul Wahab J. -Marhaba FM
Kwame Nkrumah- Peace FM
Salifu Abdul-Dahim- Marhaba FM
Ernest Boamah- Multi TV
Koby Gomez-Mensah – Starr FM
Emmmanuel Bekoe- Peace FM
Akua Adufa Mintah – Peace FM
Gilbert Boyefio- Parliamentary News
Papisdaff Abdullah Ali – Starr FM
Maame Adjoa Nkwansiwah, Class Media Group
Kwasi Agyeman- Peace FM
Fred Dzakpata – Starr FM
Naana Ntiri- Peace FM
Osei Owusu Amankwah – Starr FM
Faustine Akwa – myjoyonline.com
Umar Sadat Larry – Hearts News
Frederick Addae Ansah – Live FM, C. Coast
Kwetey Nartey – Joy FM
Malik Abass Daabu – myjoyonline.com
Kwame Yeboah – Radio Silver
Gloria Akpene Nyarku – Hitz FM
Ebenezer Afenyi Dadzie – Citi FM
Esinam Femersah – Joy FM
Akosua Asiedua – myjoyonline.com
Richard Ntow Gyan – Akyeah FM
Richard Atenka – The Chroncile
Eugene Akyea Mensah – The Chonicle
