General News of Sunday, 13 December 2009

Source: GNA

NDC supporters attack journalists

Sunyani, Dec. 13, GNA - A group of supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) assaulted journalists covering the awards ceremony of Brong Ahafo @ 50 anniversary celebration in Sunyani. The occasion was attended by the former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman, Members of the Council of State, Ministers of State, Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region and NDC party bigwigs.

The journalists attacked were Mr. Dennis Kwadwo Peprah of the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Kwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Regional Correspondent of Daily Graphic, Mr. Ian Motey, Regional Correspondent of Ghanaian Times, Mr. Michael Boateng of the Chronicle and Mr. Larry Paa Kwesi Moses of TV Africa. Mr. Peprah was nearly lynched by the supporters but for the timely intervention of police personnel on duty.

The incident was reported to the police in Sunyani who gave the journalists medical forms to fill at the Regional Hospital. The incident happened when Flt. Lt. Rawlings was about to deliver his address.

One of the attackers walked to where the journalists were seated and virtually lifted Mr. Peprah and his seat off the ground and started beating him.

As Mr. Peprah lay on the ground screaming for help some of the attackers who included women activists of the party stamped on his stomach and delivered blows at him from all angles.

A policeman who went to the rescue of Mr. Peprah received some slaps by one of the attackers and a taxi that was hailed to convey Mr. Peprah to a safe place had its back side smashed by the irate mob.