Ghana ALERT: Radio station attacked for defying censorship orders

Angry youth numbering about 30 on February 17, 2014, stormed the premises of Gift FM a privately owned radio station at Dormaa Ahenkro - a town in the Brong Ahafo region.

The action of the youth followed a news item aired on an alleged banishment of one Fred Yeboah, by the Dormaa traditional council.

Kwabena Boahene, station manager of Gift FM told the MFWA, the chief of Dormaa, Osagyefo Oseadeyo Nana Agyeman Badu (II) at a gathering on February 17, announced the banishment of Yeboah who is the general manager of the Presbyterian Hospital in the town. The chief then cautioned media men present at the gathering not to carry any news item on the banishment.

Reasons for the action of the chief were not disclosed and remain unknown.

“Because we defied the chief’s orders, the youth attacked us and caused extensive damage to our property and even wanted to set fire to the station with a gallon of petrol they came along with.”, Boahene said.

According to MFWA’s correspondent, the timely intervention of policemen brought the situation under control. Meanwhile an official complaint has been lodged and police are investigating the incident.

The MFWA commends the police for restoring calm and preventing the youth from vandalising the station and for continuing to protect staff of the station since the incident happened.

We also wish to remind all that the Constitution of Ghana guarantees the freedom and independence of the media. The Constitution also explicitly states in Article 162 (2) that: “...there shall be no censorship in Ghana.”

Author: MFWA