digg_url = 'index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8489&Itemid=181';President J.A. Kufuor, his wife, Theresa, and some ministers of state joined hundreds of mourners in Kumasi, to pay their last respects to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Samuel Ennin, who was laid to rest last Saturday.
Ennin, 42, who was the News Editor of Ash FM, a Radio Station in Kumasi, was shot by unidentified gunman on February 9, and died later at the Komfo Teaching Anokye Hospital. The reason for the murder remains a mystery and police investigations continue.
The funeral rites were held at South Suntreso KCC Park in Kumasi, after burial at his hometown, Biribiwoman, in the Amansie West District.
Among the ministers at the funeral were Mr. Kwamena Bartels, Information Minister, Interior Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah, Education Minister, Papa Owusu Ankomah, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister, of Defence, Dan Botwe, former Information Minister and Dr. Richard Anane, former Transportation Minister.
Other mourners present included the Chairman of the National Media Commission, Mr. Paul Adu-Gyamfi, the President of the GJA, Ransford Tetteh, the immediate past president of the GJA and Editor of the Ghanaian Times, Ms. Ajoa Yeboah-Afari and Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, Editor of the Daily Graphic.
Reverend Dr. Peter Agyei-Annoh, of the Grace Bible Church, who preached at the burial service, urged journalists to stand by the truth at all times, even in the face of adversity.
The General Secretary of the GJA, Bright Blewu, reading a tribute on behalf of the association, recalled that in 1998, Ennin won the best environmental reporter award of the GJA and 'he was the only award winner who wore kente at that ceremony.'
President Kufuor donated ¢10 million to the trust fund for the welfare of Ennin’s children.
A conspicuous feature at the funeral grounds was the presence of a Taiwanese TV crew from Sanlih Television.
Speaking to the Times, the crew leader, Joseph Huang, said they got to know about the murder of Ennin from the Internet and as 'we attach much importance to journalists as partners in nation building we decided to grace the occasion.'
He said that his television station has special interest in Ghanaian culture and their presence would enable them to introduce it to Taiwan as funerals form part of the rich culture of Ghana.
In another development, three journalists from the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, including the Vice President of the GJA, Affail Monney, were involved in an accident at dawn last Saturday on their way to the Ghana International Press Centre to join other journalists to board a bus arranged by the GJA to convey members to Kumasi for the funeral.
Speaking to the Times yesterday, Mr. Monney said he could not recall how it happened but said the saloon car in which they were travelling to the Press Centre somersaulted around the Kawukudi Junction in Accra around 3.20am.
Mr. Monney said the two others, Mr. Marvell Tanor, a senior Editor of the GBC and Ms. Barbara Yakubu, an Assistant Editor, are still on admission at the 37 Military Hospital.
He said he himself sustained a cut on his face and bruises on his arm but was later treated and discharged at the 37 Military Hospital.
Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto:
We’ll no longer tolerate your empty, unwarranted attacks – TUC blasts Prof Adei
Bawumia donates GHc200,000 to support Madina fire victims
IMF to disburse US$360million third tranche to Ghana without creditors MoU
Truck owner share insights into train collision incident
Paramount chief of Bassare Traditional Area passes on
Two teachers in court over alleged illegal possession of BECE papers
Sunyani: Victim allegedly shot by traditional warriors appeals for justice
Mahama vows to scrap teacher licensure exams, review Free SHS policy
Government will replace burnt Madina shops with a new three-story, 120-store fac...
