GJA demands security for Anas and condemns death threats

The Ghana Journalists Association has underscored the need for the provision of security protection to investigative Journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his family following death threats from unidentified persons.

In a press statement signed and issued by the President of the association, Mr Affail Monney, the GJA said sources close to the journalist had complained of stalking by unidentified persons at his office and other locations amid receiving text messages of death threats.

“We therefore, urge the Ghana Police Service, Bureau of National Investigations and other security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, and in the utmost national interest, provide a 24-hour protection for Anas and all his interests, including his family and properties.”

The statement also said the GJA abhorred the practice of circulating images within media space under the notion of the images being that of Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

“These images, which are not the real identity of Anas, tend to put the lives of other persons at risk and this must stop forthwith”.

The association also entreated aggrieved parties as a result of the investigative piece conducted by the journalist to seek redress in the law court and not take the law into their own hands.

“Whatever be the case, Chapter 13 of the GJA Code of Ethics fully justifies the means by which Anas conducts his investigative works on the ground of national interest”.
Anas is set to release an investigative piece on football in Ghana, which is scheduled to be premiered in Accra on Wednesday, June 6 and Thursday June 7, 2018.
Premiering of the undercover investigative piece has already generated international interest.

It was for that matter prudent, according to the association, that the country protects its enviable position as the first on the World Press Freedom Index 2018 and the enormous economic benefits it holds for the nation.

“This achievement was not procured on a silver platter; it was earned through our collective resolve to promote press freedom in the country, as captured under Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution. In that same spirit of unity of purpose, we must collectively resist acts, much less death threats on journalists, that have the tendency to undermine our press freedom status and collective good” it said

Below is a copy of the GJA statement

PRESS RELEASE

May 30, 2018

Anas Aremeyaw Anas Needs Police Protection Against Death Threats

It has come to the attention of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) that internationally-acclaimed investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has received many death threats following his latest investigative piece on the game of football in Ghana, which is scheduled to be premiered in Accra on Wednesday, June 6 and Thursday, June 7, 2018.

According to sources close to the ace investigative journalist, apart from receiving messages containing threats of death, some unidentified persons have been tracking his office and other locations ostensibly to harm him.

Several pictorial images have been posted online, television and on social media. These images, which are not the real identity of Anas, tend to put the lives of other persons at risk and this must stop forthwith.

The GJA finds these developments extremely disturbing and highly unfortunate. We, therefore, urge the Ghana Police Service, Bureau of National Investigations and other security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, and in the utmost national interest, provide a 24-hour protection for Anas and all his interests, including his family and properties.

The security agencies should not allow aggrieved and disgruntled individuals to endanger the life of this patriotic citizen of Ghana, who, at a very young age, has rendered very invaluable services to the nation.

We appreciate the fact that investigative pieces of this nature always arouse passion, emotions, anger and even hatred. However, regardless of one’s feelings, whether good or ill, under no circumstances must one deviate from the rule of law to tread on the path of impunity and engage in an assassination mission. Instead, one must resort to the law courts to seek redress to anything one finds untoward in such matters.

Whatever be the case, Chapter 13 of the GJA Code of Ethics fully justifies the means by which Anas conducts his investigative works on the ground of national interest.

The GJA wishes to remind the nation of Ghana’s enviable first position on the World Press Freedom Index 2018 and the enormous economic benefits it holds for the nation.

This achievement was not procured on a silver platter; it was earned through our collective resolve to promote press freedom in the country, as captured under Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution. In that same spirit of unity of purpose, we must collectively resist acts, much less death threats on journalists that have the tendency to undermine our press freedom status and collective good.

Even before the premiering of the undercover expose, Anas’ investigative piece has already generated international interest. And so it is important for us to conduct our affairs in a manner that would bring dignity, not disgrace, to Ghana. The whole world is watching us.

SIGNED

Affail Monney
(President)