A group of armed supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) besieged the premises of the privately-owned Classic FM, physically attacking three people and vandalising the radio station.
(MFWA/IFEX) – On May 28, 2009, a group of armed supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) besieged the premises of the privately-owned Classic FM, physically attacking three people and vandalising the radio station, in Techiman, a town in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana.
Producer Kofi Doe Lawson, marketing manager Michael Amankwah and a food vendor were violently attacked by the angry supporters, who were wielding machetes. Amankwah was hospitalised, treated and later discharged.
A Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) correspondent reported that the attack was the result of the station airing an alleged voice recording of Simon Addai, a member of parliament (MP) for the Techiman South constituency. During a meeting with NDC members, Addai allegedly threatened to “deal with” some members of the opposition, including prosecuting his immediate predecessor for acts of corruption.
The correspondent said that if it had not been for the vigilance of the station’s security personnel, the attackers, who destroyed the entrance of the station, would have also vandalised the studio. It took the intervention of a military patrol team and police to bring the situation under control.
When MFWA contacted Addai, he denied making the statements attributed to him by the station. He accused the station of being biased and lacking professionalism. He also said the attack had not been officially reported to him.
