(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – On Monday 16 July 2001, media professionals from the SKY FM radio station in Sunyani, in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana, were severely manhandled by a mob claiming to be angry football fans. The journalists and some staff of the non-governmental organisation Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) were returning […]
(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – On Monday 16 July 2001, media professionals from the SKY FM radio station in Sunyani, in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana, were severely manhandled by a mob claiming to be angry football fans.
The journalists and some staff of the non-governmental organisation Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) were returning from an AIDS Awareness programme in the town of Drobo, in the Jaman District.
The mob forced the vehicle in which the journalists and staff of the PPAG were travelling through Berekum to stop. As soon as the vehicle came to a stop a mob attacked the vehicle. They pulled out the SKY FM vehicle driver, Ato Clinton, and began hitting him repeatedly without provocation.
Journalist Addae Yeboah made an attempt to plead on behalf of the driver and the FM station, but instead angered the crowd further, as they attempted to forcibly seize and take away his equipment.
Sensing danger, the SKY FM station marketing manager and PPAG project officer Ellen Appiah ran away and lodged a complaint with Berekum police.
A team of 20 policemen arrived at the scene to save the two journalists from the mob’s attack. The mob turned their attention to the policemen with the intention of overpowering them and seizing their weapons.
Realising that their relentless efforts to overpower the police were becoming futile and danger was looming, some of the mob scattered. They later reconvened at the entrance of the Berekum police station to threaten police, throwing stones and other projectiles at them.
According to ringleader Yaw Mensah, local Berekum Football Club supporters were beaten by Sunyani Club supporters during a return football match in Sunyani. This provoked attacks on any person or vehicle coming from Sunyani. Since the SKY FM station and the NGO are all based in Sunyani, the mob concluded that they were supporters of the Sunyani Club. They therefore assumed that they were potential enemies of the Berekum people, prompting the attack.
The case is being investigated by police.
