The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called for the immediate arrest of Alhaji Osman Masawudu, Third National Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), citing what it describes as threatening and dangerous conduct toward journalists.
This demand follows remarks made by Alhaji Masawudu during an interview on Kumasi-based Ash FM, where he allegedly issued threats of physical assault against journalists from Media General who attend NPP events.
His comments have drawn widespread condemnation from media stakeholders and press freedom advocates across the country.
The threats come on the heels of an earlier incident in which Alhaji Masawudu was captured on video forcefully pushing away a TV3-branded microphone during an NPP press briefing—a move many considered unprofessional and hostile.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, April 23, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour strongly condemned the NPP vice chairman’s actions, labeling them a threat to human life and democratic governance.
“The actions and comments of Alhaji Masawudu are very reckless, repressive and regrettable. His actions are not only a threat to human life, they are also a threat to the life of the rule of law and our democracy. We condemn them in no uncertain terms and call on the NPP’s National Vice Chairman to withdraw his reckless comment and apologise.”
Dwumfour also appealed to civil society organisations, the diplomatic community, and international bodies to join the GJA in demanding a formal retraction and public apology from Alhaji Masawudu.
“If the NPP National Vice Chairman fails to withdraw those reckless comments and threats, we shall hold him responsible for any attack on TV3 reporters at the party’s programme or anywhere close to the party’s office.”
The GJA revealed that Media General’s management has already reported the matter to the police and called on law enforcement to act swiftly and decisively.
“We hereby call on the police to act decisively on this case. The police must not sit unconcerned. They must not wait for the worst to happen before they act. We call on the IGP and his team to immediately invite or call for the arrest of the NPP Third National Vice Chairman.”
