The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has threatened to take legal action against the General Secretary of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Dr David Tenkorang-Twum, over certain “reckless” comments against journalists.
It has, therefore, given Dr Tenkorang-Twum a five-day ultimatum to retract and apologise over comments that journalists had been “marked” whenever they visit public health facilities, or else the association would take all the necessary action to seek redress and protect the safety of journalists.
The GJA stressed that if Dr Tenkorang-Twum failed to issue the apology, the association would hold him “personally accountable for any harm that befalls journalists in public hospitals.”
Press conference
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, the President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, described the comments by Dr Tenkorang-Twum as “irresponsible and a blatant threat of violence against journalists.”
He stressed: “The GJA finds these remarks utterly irresponsible, deeply disturbing, and unbefitting of a leader of a professional health association.
To publicly declare in an antagonistic tone that journalists have been “marked” and will be “shown” in hospitals is nothing short of intimidation and an attempt to instil fear among media practitioners.
“Such rhetoric, whether disguised as 'professionalism' or not, creates fertile grounds for hostility and endangers the safety of journalists across the country.
The GJA will not sit idle while the safety and lives of journalists are put on the line.
The GJA will not be cowed, neither will the media fraternity allow itself to be intimidated by reckless threats, regardless of who makes them,” he stated.
Comments, demands
In June this year, in the heat of a strike by nurses, Dr Tenkorang-Twum, during a radio interview, accused journalists of unprofessionalism in the reportage of the strike, and said,
“Those journalists, we have marked them. They will come and meet us in the hospital. I am serious about it…”
The GJA President expressed dismay at the comments, stating that they were reprehensible and unacceptable from a person seeking the interest of nurses.
He further expressed disappointment that the GRNMA General Secretary threatened journalists, who have been at the forefront of highlighting the plights of nurses, and also used a media platform to issue such threats.
Apart from the ultimatum and legal action, the GJA has also indicated its readiness to petition the National Media Commission (NMC), the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Ghana Police Service and other relevant institutions for necessary action.
The GJA further called on the leadership of the GRNMA to disassociate itself from Dr Tenkorang-Twum’s comments.
“Finally, we urge the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Health, and the security agencies to take immediate steps to assure journalists of their safety in hospitals and other public spaces,” Mr Dwumfour added.
Other issues
The GJA has also warned political parties, security agencies and other actors to desist from attacking journalists during the Akwatia by-election scheduled for Tuesday, September 2.
“The GJA appeals directly to political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly during the Akwatia by-election. Journalists are not combatants in the political contest; they are professionals carrying out a democratic duty to inform the public,” Mr Dwumfour added.
The association further called on media houses to provide adequate safety and security support for their staff who will cover the election.
Writer’s email: emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh
