
The President of the Ghana Journalist Association Mr Affail Monney has said that, as the nation heads towards a crucial election next month, there should be Zero tolerance for impunity in any shape or forms on Journalists.
Speaking at a forum organised by the GJA and United Nation Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to mark the commemoration of International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalist, Mr Affail Monney said that impunity against Journalist is an attack on democracy and thus there is the need for a strong commitment from all stakeholders to confront the issue of impunity with utmost tenacity regardless of who the offenders are.
He mentioned that the assurance by President Nana Akuffo Adoo and the Ghana Police to arrest perpetrators of the murder of Ahmed Suale of Tiger Eye fame. If apprehended, the perpetrators this atrocious act of cruelty should be punished to the fullest extent permissible within the law to serve as the strongest antidote for impunity against journalists in Ghana.
Mr Affail added that the Ghana Journalist Association expects democratic institutions which are nourished by the media to demonstrably and stridently rally to the defence of journalists in their difficult moments. He further cautioned journalists to avoid any breach of values which underwood their profession and can lead to attack by people from furious citizens.
The Country’s Representative of UNESCO, Abdourahamane Diallo on his part noted that about 900 Journalists has lost their lives on duty from 2010 to 2019 a report revealed. He added that the State’s responsibility to protect journalists and ensure that people who harm journalists are brought to justice.