Ghana: Ruling party distances itself from attack on radio station

Ghana: Ruling party distances itself from attack on radio station

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) on June 2, 2009, officially denied any involvement of its members in the recent vandalisation of privately-owned Techiman-based Classic FM in the Brong Ahafo Region of
Ghana.

The regional chairman of NDC, John Owusu Agyeman, told Media Foundation for
West Africa (MFWA) in a telephone interview that no party member took part
in the alleged attack on the radio station and therefore called for police
investigations into the matter.

MFWA's correspondent on May 28, a group of irate individuals believed to be
NDC supporters stormed Classic FM and injured three people, including two
employees of the station. The incident followed the broadcasting of an
alleged voice recording of Simon Addai, NDC Member of Parliament for
Techiman South constituency. In the playback Addai threatened to 'deal' with
his political opponents, including his recent predecessor for, acts of
corruption.

The correspondent said it took the intervention of the police to save the
station from destruction. The police have launched investigation into the
incident. Supt. S.K. Ntim, has called for more information from the public
to help arrest the perpetrators.

Meanwhile the government has reiterated its commitment to preserve media
freedom. Addressing members of the parliamentary press corps, in Accra,
Zita Okaikwe, Minister for Information, said the NDC government would regard
the media as a partner in development and ensure that press freedom is
guaranteed.