Spokesperson for President John Dramani Mahama and Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has dismissed claims that the government is responsible for recent assaults on journalists.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, he assured that President Mahama’s administration would never target journalists over criticisms.
“No single journalist in this country will be attacked because they have spoken against the government. The day that happens, I will hear it and leave government because it won’t happen,” he said.
His comments come after the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Kwabena Dwumfour, on Tuesday, February 18, strongly condemned the Mahama administration’s inaction over what he described as a rising number of attacks on journalists.
Mr. Dwumfour revealed that since the start of President Mahama’s administration, seven cases of assaults have been recorded, calling the situation “unprecedented.”
However, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu described the narrative as “most regrettable” and unfair to President Mahama and the government.
“Why would President Mahama even dream of attacking a journalist? Someone like Manasseh [Azure Awuni], despite his criticisms, Mahama still mentions his name during speeches and would never want to attack any journalist,” he stated.
He added that President Mahama is open to criticism and maintains a friendly relationship with his critics.
“The President will meet with the GJA President to further assure him on the matter. I want to emphasise that we will not harm any journalist,” Kwakye Ofosu assured.
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