Press Release : CSD- Ghana condemns the Rambo Style Arrest of Citi FM Journalists

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Centre for Social Democracy (CSD-Ghana)

Press Release : CSD- Ghana condemns the Rambo Style Arrest of Citi FM Journalists

Centre for Social Democracy (CSD-Ghana) has noted with utmost disgust the Rambo style arrest of Zoe Abu-Baidoo a female journalist with the Accra based Citi FM by police officers from the Ministry of National Security. This follows the arrest of her colleague Caleb Kudah at the premises of the said Ministry for allegedly filming at the premises and sending the video to Zoe.

This development comes on the back of concerns that government and its surrogates continue to repress journalists and citizens thereby creating a culture of silence. There have been several attacks on journalists under this government. This includes the cold blooded murder of Armed Suale who led a high level under cover investigation project to expose corruption at the Ghana Football Association and was supposed to be a prosecution witness in the case. Just last week, pressure was brought to bear on Captain Smart’s employer to suspend him from Angel FM/TV for speaking against the government. vis-à-vis making the government unpopular

These kinds of treatment of journalists from this government is distasteful and has the propensity of perpetrating the culture of silence as talked about by Mr. Sam Jonah.

What is more disgusting is the manner in which heavily armed police officers who are paid with the tax payer’s money will drive 3 pickups to a media house to arrest a female journalist for receiving ‘unauthorized video’ from her colleague.

Interestingly, this bizarre operation was once again authorized by DSP Azugu, police officer who was indicted in the infamous state sponsored thuggery during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections.

This blatant abuse of power belongs to the dark days of military rule and must cease forthwith. It is very embarrassing to Ghana and continues to undermine our democratic credentials and it is unfortunate that such grievous attacks on journalists are happening under the watch of Nana Akufo-Addo who called himself a consummate democrat.

We challenge the Ministry of National Security to provide the law under which filming is prohibited at their premises. Granted that Caleb Kudah committed an offense, was the manner in which he was arrested the best way to go about it?

The high-handedness with which this government treats its citizens with intention of putting fear in them is condemnable.

While we commend management of the station for doing its best to protect the rights of their employees, we urge government to desist from these dictatorial tendencies and embrace the modern democratic ways of dealing with citizens.

Signed.

Williams Ampomah
Fellow, CSD-Ghana.
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