The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has issued an immediate blacklist of the Member of Parliament for Yendi, Farouk Aliu Mahama from all media coverage and interviews.
The decision comes in response to an attack on Citi FM journalist, Mohammed Amin Alabira during the Parliamentary primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) allegedly by the MP himself and his associated vigilantes.
The call for blacklisting of the MP is supported by the Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), and the Media Foundation for West Africa – MFWA.
GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour who read a statement from the group at a press briefing on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, demanded the National and Regional leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to take action to ensure justice for Alabira by appropriately sanctioning the MP and his supporters.
He also called on the Ghana Police Service to expedite the investigation and legal process against the perpetrators, emphasizing that law enforcement officers were witnesses to the incident.
The media group issued a ten-day ultimatum to the NPP and the Ghana Police Service, warning that failure to respond satisfactorily will prompt the Association and its partners to ‘advise themselves’ – hinting at further, unspecified actions.
The statement passionately implored all media houses to support the media embargo on Farouk Mahama, cautioning that any media outlet defying the ban risks bearing responsibility for any harm that befalls journalists during this period.
Drawing a poignant comparison, the statement recalled the tragic death of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale, insisting that previous inactions must not be repeated.
“This is in our shared interest,” the statement reads, urging unity among media houses to protect journalists from politically motivated violence.
“The blood of any journalist who will be killed during this period will be on the head of owners and management of such media houses that violate the BLACKLIST declaration.”
The Association urged journalists to avoid provoking attacks from ‘unreasonable politicians and their assigns,’ while invoking divine support for media persons and their dedication to their cause.
The GJA President stressed the declaration underscores the enduring challenges faced by journalists in Ghana, and advocating for a safer environment for the media and accountability for those who threaten their safety.
In a related development, the GJA president disclosed that the MP for Awutu Senya East, Hawa Koomson, who was equally blacklisted over an assault on a journalist has reached out to the Association for dialogue.
The GJA, he said, will meet her since she has not shown interest in the case and is willing to engage adding, “We will engage her and others to find closure to the case. We are waiting!”