The office of Daily Guide newspaper in the Ashanti region has been locked by some irate youth in the area.
The motive of the group calling itself Kumasi Youth Association is to punish the paper for publishing a story in which the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is alleged to have laundered £200,000 and $200,000 in cash.
UK-based The Telegraph has published a story in which the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is alleged to have laundered £200,000 and $200,000 in cash.
A bank official, Mark Arthur, has lost his job because according to the Ghana International Bank, he “failed to follow anti-money laundering rules and had violated security policies as it was only insured to carry cash by armoured car up to a maximum of £250,000.”
The matter came to light in an ongoing tribunal hearing to ascertain the legality of Mr. Arthur’s dismissal.
The Daily Guide as a local newspaper published the story which has incurred the wrath of youth in Kumasi.
They believe has contributed to denigrating the name of the revered King.
The youth has therefore locked the office under lock and key demanding an unqualified apology and a retraction of the story.
Ebenezer Osei Adu-Poku who is a worker in the building complex that houses Daily Guide in Kumasi told Joy News’ Ohemeng Tawaiah that they found the main door to the building locked with all the inscriptions written around and called the police to that effect.
When asked if he feels secured working there therein, he said, “yes we feel secured because we called the police and they came to settle everything”.
Manhyia Divisional Commander, ACP Kwaku Buah, speaking to on the AM Show on the JOYNEWs channel on MultiTV says he cannot confirm if he will be making any arrests.
He directed the leaders and other members of the group to report to the police station to have a discussion so a civil way will be used to address their grievances.
ACP Buah also said nothing has been reported missing or stolen from the building.
Although the Joy News reporter made efforts to speak to the Manager of Daily Guide in the Ashanti Region, James Quansah, he declined to comment on the issue.
Ibrahim Abubakar, who reports for TV3 in Kumasi called on media houses and security forces to work together to protect journalists because of the nature of their work.
“Definitely someone may be hurt by our report so media houses should be secured so people won’t just come in and go out without proper checks.”