GJA Unhappy About Bribery Allegations Against Journalists

The Ghana Journalists Association(GJA), has challenged the government’s energy adviser, Dr. Charles Wereko Brobbey, to substantiate allegations of bribery he made against journalists at a recent press briefing on the Sahara oil contract. GJA President Gifty Afenyi Dadzie told “The Independent” newspaper that the matter would be referred to the association’s ethics committee for the necessary action to be taken. Issues surrounding the oil-lifting contract with Sahara Energy of Nigeria have dominated media discussions for the past five months.

Dr. Wereko Brobbey who was the presidential candidate of the United Ghana Movement Party in the December 2000 elections has been particularly unhappy about media criticisms, notably by Kwesi Pratt junior, editor of the "Weekly Insight", Ben Ephson editor of "The Dispatch", "The Ghanaian Voice" and JOYFM. In an interview with JOYFM, Dr. Wereko-Brobbey claimed that the journalists who continue to publish and broadcast stories on the oil-lifting contract have been bribed by enemies of the government.

According to him, the only credible journalist is Nana Kofi Koomson, editor of the Ghanaian Chronicle, who first published the Sahara story but has remained silent since.

Meanwhile, the Editor of the “Weekly Insight” newspaper, Kwesi Pratt junior says the allegation by the Dr. Wereko Brobbey is serious, coming from a man of his standing and has challenged him to produce evidence.

Kwesi Pratt, who has been questioning the relevance of the Sahara and other similar contracts also said Dr. Wereko Brobbey’s comments were irresponsible. He also wondered why Kofi Coomson, editor of the Ghanaian Chronicle, is now the darling of the energy adviser, when the two were enemies last year.

For his part, the Editor of the Independent, Richmond Keelson said, Dr. Wereko Brobbey and others are struggling to be accepted back into the ruling NPP and will do anything to achieve that aim. Ben Ephson of the Dispatch has also asked the energy adviser to retract his statement and apologise if he is unable to prove the allegations.