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GJA’s media blackout directive on Hawa Koomson unfair – NPP
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Awutu Senya East has criticized the Ghana Journalists Association’s directive to journalists to avoid covering activities involving the constituency’s Member of Parliament (MP) Mavis Hawa Koomson.
This directive was issued following an attack on a journalist during the NPP’s vetting of parliamentary aspirants in Cape Coast.
The NPP maintains that neither the planning nor execution of the attack involved the MP’s camp, for which reason the directive was unfair.
The journalist, Ohene Kwame David from Cape FM, was allegedly attacked during the parliamentary vetting process.
Following the incident, he stated that his attackers wore t-shirts bearing the name of Awutu Senya East MP Mavis Hawa Koomson and had previously questioned his reporting against the MP on UTV.
David also suggested that his attackers may have mistaken him for his brother, who works at UTV.
In response to these allegations, the MP denied any involvement from her camp and called for a thorough investigation.
Despite this, the GJA issued a directive on Thursday, January 25, 2024, instructing journalists to avoid covering the Awutu Senya East MP.
The Awutu Senya East NPP leadership has described this directive as unjust.
At a press conference, NPP’s Awutu Senya East constituency Secretary, Michael Addy expressed disappointment that the MP’s office had not received any further updates on the investigation after the GJA initially contacted the MP.
He also took issue with a statement made by the GJA president, alleging that the MP associates with individuals who commit violent acts, even at homes and mosques.
Mr. Addy demanded a retraction of this statement and an apology to the MP.
The party has urged the GJA to conduct a more comprehensive investigation before drawing any conclusions.
The NPP claims to have conducted its own internal investigation within the MP’s camp, which found that none of the MP’s team members were involved in the attack.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
Massive celebrations were recorded countrywide as the Black Stars opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.
Midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi scored the only goal of the match late in the game as he shot in a decent cross from substitute Brandon Asante.
The win gave Ghana a positive start in the competition, placing them in second position behind England, also with three points but with a superior goal aggregate.
After the final whistle, the streets and other viewing centres were turned into partying grounds as fans, mostly clad in the team’s paraphernalia, danced to several World Cup-themed music.
Others blew the vuvuzelas in joyous mood with others putting up a spirited ‘jama’ session.
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Adentan Constituency, Akosua Manu, has urged party members to move away from what she describes as an “entitlement mentality” and focus on unity, sacrifice and hard work as the party prepares for the 2028 general election.
In a statement titled “Is Loyalty a Queue?”, and posted on facebook, Ms. Manu argued that loyalty to the NPP should not be judged by how long a person has been in the party but by their contributions and commitment to its growth.
According to her, the NPP’s history shows that many of its leaders faced significant opposition from within the party before eventually leading it to electoral success.
She cited former President John Agyekum Kufuor as an example, saying he had to overcome resistance from influential figures within the party before winning power for the NPP in 2000.
Ms. Manu noted that after the party lost power in 2008, former President Kufuor faced criticism and accusations from some party members.
However, she said supporters eventually put their differences aside and worked together to rebuild the party.
She pointed to the experience of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who, according to her, faced opposition from some factions within the NPP despite his long service to the party.
“His trials were ten times what Kufuor endured,” she stated, adding that Akufo-Addo eventually overcame the challenges and became President of Ghana.
Turning to the NPP’s current flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ms. Manu said he also faced resistance from different groups within the party while seeking leadership.
She praised Dr. Bawumia for contributing to policy-based political discussions in Ghana and for remaining composed following the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections.
According to her, party members must now rally behind him in the same way they supported former Presidents Kufuor and Akufo-Addo.
Ms. Manu, however, warned that internal divisions and a sense of entitlement remain major threats to the party’s future.
She argued that some party members place too much emphasis on how long individuals have belonged to the NPP rather than on their contributions and capabilities.
“This entitlement does not question impact. It does not ask what you sacrificed or what you built. It asks only how long have you been here,” she said.
The former parliamentary candidate cautioned that such attitudes could discourage committed members and prevent the party from selecting the best people for leadership positions.
She further called on the party’s incoming national executives to strengthen the NPP’s core values of sacrifice, honesty, integrity and dedication to national development.
Ms. Manu addressed the concerns of young party supporters, many of whom she said became discouraged following the NPP’s electoral defeat in 2024.
According to her, many young people remain eager to see the party return to power but are unwilling to support internal conflicts driven by personal ambitions.
She urged party elders to place the interests of the NPP above their individual goals and to demonstrate leadership that attracts rather than alienates members.
“The NPP is bigger than any one of us. It always has been. Our collective responsibility is to act like it,” she stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
