The Ghana Journalists As­sociation (GJA) says it will closely follow proceedings in the prosecution of the suspect picked up for assaulting Joy FM’s journalist, Latif Iddrissu.

Consequently, the association has directed its legal team to follow the process closely and advise it on what to do.

This came up at a press con­ference held on Tuesday at the Ghana International Press Centre (GIPC) during which the association expressed misgivings about the manner journalists were threat­ened and assaulted.

It came in the wake of the re­cent attack on Mr Iddrissu during the coverage of a demonstration by New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters who had gathered at the precincts of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), demanding bail for its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), who is under investigation by the office.

Addressing the media, the GJA President, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, condemned the actions of the supporters, describing it as a direct attack on press freedom and Ghana’s democratic principles.

“What happened on the day was very unfortunate. I don’t under­stand why a journalist performing his responsibility should be sub­jected to such inhumane treat­ment. This must not happen at all,” he underlined.

He said the incident was re­ported to the police, following an arrest and prosecution underway, adding that the case has been adjourned.

Mr Dwumfour commended the police for the swift action and urged them to go the full length to get justice for Mr Iddrissu.

“We urge the police to pursue this case and previous cases pend­ing to their logical conclusion. As journalists, we’ll follow develop­ments closely. We have instructed our legal team to also monitor close to advise the executive on what action to take,” he stated.

The GJA president also com­mended government for its efforts so far in the fight against illegal mining (Galamsey) in Ghana’s forests and called on the security taskforce tasked with this exercise not to be compromised.

He pledged the GJA’s support for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the ‘Ghana Coali­tion Against Galamsey’ in the fight against the menace.

 By Spectator Reporter