Anas Aremeyaw Anas sends first message to Nana Addo in 2021

Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has sent his first message to the Government led by President Nana Akufo-Addo as we enter into a new year — 2021.

His message is in regard to how some journalists are receiving death threats just because they honestly made reports on happenings in the country.

Anas called on the government to condemn “these threats and careless utterances be it from a lawmaker, a government official or opposition groups, in the strongest terms yet.”

He also called on the security agencies to do their job by investigating people who make these threats no matter their status in the society.

He ultimately asked for protection and justice for Manasseh Azure Awuni, Edward Adeti, Afia Pokuaah, Captain Smart, Abdul Hayi Moomen, David Tamakloe, and others who have either been threatened with death or violence and/or Intimidation.

Read his full statement below:

Tiger Eye P.I stands in solidarity with media colleagues in demanding protection and justice for Manasseh Azure Awuni, Edward Adeti, Afia Pokuaah, Captain Smart, Abdul Hayi Moomen, David Tamakloe, and others who have either been threatened with death or violence and/or Intimidation.

These acts smack of barbarism, and backwardness; they are disturbing and have to be condemned.

Anonymous and open threats when not dealt with breed impunity in our society. Ahmed Hussein Suale was openly threatened by a law maker and nothing happened.

The next move was his murder. It is a terrible thing to practise journalism under conditions such as these, and it is even dangerous when nothing is done, and the perpetrators get to carry out their threats.

The murder of Ahmed Suale is still fresh on the minds of all journalists and sympathisers in this country.

Never again should any journalist suffer the horrible experience of Ahmed Suale. No journalist in the country can survive the bullet of their assassins if ever they become targets.

Assassins appear to be highly skillful, tactful and are masters of their trade. Suale’s murderers shot him at close range on his neck and twice at his chest while driving home. Suale could not even have a second to turn on his body cam; he simply lost control over his body.

His murderers pursued him and then shot him twice in the chest at close range. This is how good contract-killers are at their job, and therefore they must be checked, tracked and apprehended whenever they threaten anybody with death messages.

Tiger Eye P.I calls on the government to condemn these threats and careless utterances be it from a lawmaker, a government official or opposition groups, in the strongest terms yet. The security agencies must proactively investigate the sources of death threats and arrest the criminals. The security agencies should not be seen or be used to perpetuate any such attacks or intimidation.

Finally, we appeal to the National Media Commission and Ghana Journalist Association to do more, particularly in engaging political parties and journalists who pursue public interest journalism.

Signed Anas Aremeyaw Anas