Wereko-Brobbey hacks 'disappointing' GJA leadership
Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobbey, a pioneer private media owner, has lashed out at the Ghana Journalist Association for what he described as their “very disappointing” manner they let go an assault case against journalists.
He warned: “The GJA's reputation is on the line. If it is not seen to be fighting for the greater interest of the media in Ghana, it will become a moribund organisation.”
Two journalists were assaulted by military officers at this year's Independence Parade. But the Ghana Journalists Association today declared it is no longer interested in pursuing the case after an unceremonious closed door meeting between the GJA and the Chief of Defence Staff.
Interestingly, the meeting came at the back of public outcry which greeted a military enquiry that exonerated the accused officers.
Dustbin of history
Immediately after the meeting, President of the GJA, Affail Monney told journalists that the CDS in the meeting “apologized profusely” for what many said was an ignoble action on the part of the military.
He affirmed that the Association accepted the apology in “good faith”, and left the meeting “fully emptied of any bitterness”.
He has therefore called for a “total cease fire on the media front”, adding the issue “has been consigned to the dustbin of history”.
Null and void
The Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Mathew Quashie, on his part told journalists the earlier report that cleared the soldiers of any wrongdoing was a “misnomer”, and therefore, “I declare that report null and void”.
He therefore urged the two institutions – GJA and the Ghana Armed Forces – to work together for a “better result”, since the combined forces of the two is mightier than each standing alone.
No Option
Later, Mr Affail Monney reiterated in an interview with Joy FM's Top Story that the GJA was “totally convinced” that the military were “apologetic and repentant”, and therefore they “have no option” but to accept the apology. The case in his view should be closed because “to err is human, and to forgive is divine”.
Also, he said, the military assured them that the offending officers would be accordingly punished, and victims adequately compensated.
But Mr Wereko-Brobbey, who is also a renowned politician, felt the GJA has cheapened itself and kowtow to the impunity of the military in a democratic dispensation.
“We cannot take a situation like this and deal with them as if we are sitting in our little family home, dealing with family dispute. In a situation that really affects the interest of people in public office and public practice, they ought to be clear rules.”
The peace accord was therefore described by him as an “unfortunate process”.
He said for the Ghana Armed Forces to investigate itself, in the first place, was wrong. The incident should have been investigated by an independent institution to avoid a situation where the military become the judge and jury in their own case.
He is however blaming the circumstance on the lack of a broadcasting law in the country, giving room for the media landscape to be likened to a jungle.
In the absence of the above, Mr Wereko-Brobbey charged the National Media Commission to ensure that journalists operate without intimidation.
“The lesson that must come from this is for the GJA not talk about assurances by the armed forces, but working towards ensuring that, proper rules and regulations, a proper complaint procedures are established. And in the final analyses, if these do not yield the desired results then what happen is that the individual citizen of Ghana has a right to go to court for redress. That is the kind of language I want to hear. “
Acceptance
Meanwhile, David Agbenu, Editor of the state owned Ghanaian Times newspaper whose report was slapped by the military, said the outcome of the meeting has been accepted, and was therefore counting on the military to live up to their promise.
He however said the two were yet to sit to decide on what would be the appropriate compensation for the victims.