GJA, NMC urged to investigate journalist's alleged abduction

Ho, Dec. 13, GNA - The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, on Sunday called on the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the National Media Commission (NMC), to carry out independent investigations into the alleged abduction and assault on Miss Afua Dzansi-Asamoah, Volta Regional Correspondent of Joy FM radio, just before the December 7 elections.

He also urged the two institutions to bring pressure to bear on the police to expedite investigations into the matter in view of the public interest it had generated.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa who made the call at a Press briefing in Ho on Sunday said the GJA and the NMC needed to show particular interest in the matter because "it borders on the safety and security of media practitioners."

He said the "veracity of the alleged abduction and mistreatment of Miss Dzansi-Asamoah amounted to a crime and the culprits must be identified, arrested and prosecuted.

"On the other hand if it is a fabrication, the public is entitled to know so that all those involved and connected with the sordid fabrication could be exposed and sanctioned in accordance with the law", he said.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said "public comments so far on the matter have been tentative at best and accusatory and judgemental at worst", which made the matter serious and ought to be investigated as quickly as possible to establish the truth.

He restated his non-involvement either directly or indirectly in any attempt to abduct Miss Dzansi-Asamoah contrary to her attempts to link "me" (Owusu-Yeboa) to the incident.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said public interest in the matter should not be allowed to wane with the elections.

Mr Kofi Duku Arthur, Volta Regional Police Commander, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that a team of police investigators from Accra had taken over investigations into the matter.

Meanwhile the Volta Region Branch of the GJA has requested Miss Dzansi-Asamoah to furnish it with a formal report on the incident.