NPP Communicator descends on John Mahama over comments on World Press Freedom Day

A Communication team member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong popularly known as P.K has descended heavily on former President John Mahama for calling on the Akufo-Addo's government to provide adequate security for journalists in this country.

Commenting on this year's theme for the commemoration, "Media for democracy; Journalism and elections in times of Disinformation", the former President urged the Akufo-Addo's government to protect journalists in this country to discharge their duties effectively.

“On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, I say ayekoo to all journalists and urge governments and security agencies to guarantee their safety in the discharge of their work", he said.

In a statement signed by the NPP's Communicator and copied to Daniel Kaku, he said the former President does not have the moral right for calling on the Akufo-Addo's government to protect journalists in this country.

The NPP's Communicator admitted that journalists in this country should be protected but stated that former President John Mahama does not have the moral right to ask the Akufo-Addo led government to ensure the safety of journalists in this country.

He emphasized that former President Mahama during his tenure sat down unconcerned and allowed his appointee at the presidency, Stan Dogbe for allegedly assaulting journalists.

"Our journalists, of course, need to be protected but so do every other Ghanaian! Stop projecting your reign as one of tranquil when the facts do not support such an assumption", he admitted.



Below is the full statement

AN OPEN LETTER TO MR. MAHAMA OVER HIS COMMENTS ON THE WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY.

Dear Mr. Mahama,

Your pious platitude is getting on the nerves of many Ghanaians who witnessed the derelict governance system you introduced when the NDC was in office.

The paradisiacal image you want to paint of your administration is not only nauseating but confounding as well.

In your message on the World Press Freedom Day, you urged the government of President Akufo-Addo to ensure that journalists are well protected.

One could sense a sinister motive in your delivery as you sought to create the impression that insecurity has heightened under President Akufo-Addo.

While no one subscribes to the reported cases of assaults on some journalists in the country, the point has to be emphasized that every Ghanaian deserves protection irrespective of which party is in power.



Maybe, just maybe you are diseased from forgetfulness, a trait you believed was common among Ghanaians, but it is important to jog your sleepy memory that a DCE was murdered in cold blood in the Volta Region under your leadership.

Let me also remind you that a Member of Parliament, J. B. Danquah Adu was murdered under your watch. Are we to believe that these two honorable men were less humans or Ghanaians than our journalists?

Our journalists, of course, need to be protected but so do every other Ghanaian! Stop projecting your reign as one of tranquil when the facts do not support such an assumption.

Lest I forget, your right-hand man, Stan Dogbe assaulted journalists under your watch, and you looked the other way! Many journalists suffered under your leadership, but you are here today demonizing this administration over similar incidents!

For someone zealous to come back to office, one would expect that you would concentrate on itemizing prognostic ideas and solutions to some of these matters but not to resort to making empty but blanket comments about them.

Mr. Mahama, gone are the days when political leaders would twist their mouths and tongues and shout 'Edey Beee Keke' for the good people of Ghana to swallow it hook, line and sinker.

These pedestrian antics would not be bought into by the Ghanaian electorate. Lucifer cannot claim to be more saintly than Angel Michael.

This administration is working tirelessly to address the challenges in our security, a phenomenon which has been with us since time immemorial.

Ghana was not a paradise in terms of security under your watch for you to be berating the Presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Signed!

Patrick K. Sarpong

NPP Communication Team Member