Former Deputy Interior Minister James Agalga has described as bizarrely
shocking President Akufo-Addo’s deafening silence on increasing reports
of attacks on Ghanaian journalists under his watch.
“Journalists have been in the news for quite some time, I mean they have
been subjected to abuse and attacks and in some cases the lives of
journalists have been cut short in this country under the presidency of
Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, the man who in times past was touted as
the champion of human rights,” Agalga told Starr News.
“Today, all these abuses are happening under his watch and the man isn’t
even speaking to the issues. That’s what is most shocking and amazing.
It is bizarre that all these things are happening and the president will
not find the time, he will not stop globetrotting and address these
major security concerns.”
Agalga’s comments come on the back of the arrest and alleged torture of
Emmanuel Ajorfor Abugri, Editor of online news portal ModernGhana and
his colleague by operatives of the National Security.
Abugri, who was released on Saturday 29 June 2019 said they were
tortured and beaten by National Security operatives while in detention
following a raid of their office and their subsequent arrest. Abugri and
his colleague were arrested for “engaging in cyber-crimes.”
“When we were picked up, we were taken to a place for questioning. When
it so happens that my answers were unfavourable to them, I was slapped. I
was slapped severally,” he told Morning Starr Host Francis Abban on
Tuesday.
“I was abused and tortured by the National Security Operatives. My friend, I cried like a baby.”
The National Security, however, denied physically abusing the duo,
describing the claims “clear and deliberate” attempt by the suspect to
discredit the investigations and the case against him.
“Torture and manhandling of suspects are not part and parcel of the
culture and architecture of the secretariat under the administration of
President Akufo-Addo,” a statement from National Security said.
Agalga is however of the view that notwithstanding, the denial by the
National security the claim must be investigated by an independent body
“because we cannot now trust National Security or the CID for that
matter to investigate the matter and come up with any useful report.”
“It is a very serious matter,” he told journalists.
Agalga also supports calls by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for
the immediate suspension or resignation of the National Security
Minister Albert Kan Dapaah, over the arrest and torture Abugri and his
colleague.
“He [Albert Kan Dapaah] has been roundly accused….,” Agalga stated.
The NDC is a statement described the treatment meted out to the journalist as barbaric, inhumane and disgraceful.
“We join many well-meaning Ghanaians in registering our revulsion to
this barbaric act, and wish to express our deepest concern over
deteriorating press freedom under President Akufo-Addo,” the statement
said, adding: “The NDC hereby calls on Albert Kan Dapaah to immediately
resign as National Security Minister or be suspended by the President,
to allow for a full-scale investigation into allegations of torture of
the journalists. We submit that all those found culpable must be dealt
with in accordance with the law.”