The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has urged the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to take a firm stance against recent threatening statements made by the party’s 3rd National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Osman Masawudu, directed at journalists from Media General.

Addressing a press briefing at the Ghana International Press Centre on April 23, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour condemned Alhaji Masawudu’s conduct, describing it as dangerous to the principles of democracy and a direct threat to media freedom.

He appealed to the NPP hierarchy to publicly dissociate the party from Masawudu’s actions and comments.

“The actions and comments of Alhaji Masawudu are very reckless, reprehensive and regrettable,” Dwumfour said.“His actions and comments are not only a threat to human life; they are also a threat to the lives of the rule of law and our democracy.”

The incident in question occurred on April 16, during an NPP press conference attended by General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. While inviting the Minority Leader to speak, Alhaji Masawudu was seen on camera shoving a TV3 microphone off the high table in a show of aggression. His action prompted immediate disapproval from party executives, who quickly restored the microphone to its place.

“That gesture by the General Secretary and the Minority Leader to restore order and allow TV3 to cover the event, although Alhaji Masawudu was not remorseful, is very commendable. We commend the NPP General Secretary and the Minority Leader for showing high sense of tolerance and maturity in the face chaos,” the GJA stated.

However, Masawudu doubled down the following day in an interview with Ash FM, where he admitted to pushing the microphone and issued threats against Media General journalists who might attend NPP events.

“This is a warning to Media General; this is a warning to TV3. They should stay away from New Patriotic Party…. The next time they joke with our programme, bo na ye be bo wo mo (we will beat them),” he said.

The GJA has called on Alhaji Masawudu to retract the remarks and issue a formal apology. It warned that should any Media General journalist suffer harm at an NPP event, responsibility will rest with Masawudu.

Beyond condemning the conduct, the GJA also emphasized the constitutional responsibility of journalists to serve the public interest, stating that access to public press conferences cannot be denied based on private biases.

“So whenever and wherever the public interest calls, the media have a constitutional invitation and obligation to respond to the call. Thus, unless the matter or issue is private in nature, the media, in serving the public interest and right to know, have a duty to perform,” Dwumfour noted.

“So Alhaji Masawudu should not prevent the media from, or threaten to attack the media for, discharging their duty. And the NPP must not condone, or acquiesce to, his threats,” he added.

Meanwhile, Media General has reported Alhaji Masawudu to the Ghana Police Service over what it described as a “deliberate act of aggression” and “direct threat” against its staff. The media firm is pushing for a thorough investigation and appropriate legal action to protect its journalists and uphold press freedom.

The GJA, while condemning the threats, expressed optimism about ongoing reconciliation efforts between Media General and the NPP and called on both parties to work toward resolving their differences constructively.

“In every relationship, misunderstandings may arise, but whenever they do, we must summon tolerance, magnanimity and courage to resolve them amicably."

The GJA has engaged the leadership of both the NPP and Media General on their conflict.

"We are happy to learn that long before the attacks and threats by Alhaji Masawudu, talks were far advanced towards reconciliation. The GJA is ready to support any cause for the resolution of feud and restoration of friendship,” Dwumfour stated.