“Ghana Ambassador To Germany Runs Riot”—Rejoinder

Her Excellency Madam Akua Sena Dansua, Ghana's Ambassador To Germany

Please refer to your article titled “GHANA AMBASSADOR TO GERMANY RUNS RIOT” whichappeared on Modern Ghana on 16^th July, 2015 at www.modernghana.com/news/630007/1/ghana-ambassador-to-germany run.htm1#. The Article carried an alleged incident that occurred on 13^th July, 2015 at the premises of AfrikaVerein (Friedrich strasse 206, 10969, Berlin) involving Her Excellency Madam Akua Sena Dansua and one Mr. Musah Ibrahim Musah, journalist, Chief Executive Officer of WapsMedia.

The Embassy of Ghana in Berlin wishes to react to the above-mentioned article as follows:

The occasion was a small meeting of potential investors during the visit of HonourableMahamaAyariga to Berlin from 6th to 14th July, 2015.

Her Excellency the Ambassador was on her way to the event, when the organizers of the meeting (AfrikaVerein officials) called to inform that a Journalist who had earlier indicated his intention to participate in the forum suddenly arrived at the venue with his camera and equipment to film the meeting and since there was no prior agreement/arrangement for media coverage for the meeting, they needed approval to enable the said Journalist proceed.

Her Excellency then advised that the Journalist be asked to hold on until she arrived at the venue in order to ascertain the situation. Upon her arrival, she approached the said Journalist, gave him her complimentary card and requested for his in order to establish his identity. The Journalist replied that he worked for the BBC but was unable to producehis card.

At that point, HonourableMahamaAyariga arrived at the scene and so the Ambassador urged him to proceed to the meeting given that the programme was about to begin. The meeting took place as scheduled but without thisjournalist.

At no point did Her Excellency use abusive language on the said Journalist and the Mission wishes to emphasize that it is not unusual to request for accreditation from a journalist covering a small meeting of that nature,(not a public forum) particularly in a situation where there was no prior arrangement between the organizers and him. Such a request is not strange in Germany and should not have evoked anger.

The situation was vividly witnessed by an Officer from the Mission as well as one from the Afrika-Verein, the partner Association that organized the meeting.

In deference to the First Couple, Their Excellencies, President John DramaniMahama and Mrs. LordinaMahama, it may be appropriate to dissociate themfrom such matters which have no bearing to their offices or their relations with individuals. The issue was about the identity of an individual that should not degenerate to this level.

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
BERLIN, GERMANY