Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr., has dismissed reports that the National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah facilitated Manasseh Azure’s ‘exile’ from the country.
According to him, even though the state is providing the investigative journalist with some form of security, it didn’t aid in helping him to his hideout out of the country.
Manasseh Azure is being provided with state security after receiving death threats following the airing of his investigative piece which highlighted the activities of De Eye Group; a private firm which operated at the former seat of government; Osu Castle.
The documentary also identified the head of the group as Nana Wireko Addo, popularly known as ‘Choman’; a one-time bodyguard of President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo.
Few days after the airing of the documentary, 'Militia in the heart of the nation’, government filed a formal complaint with the National Media Commission seeking a retraction and an apology.
The government is also seeking to have The Multimedia Group reprimanded over the documentary which it claims badmouths the Akufo-Addo administration, while the militia group, ‘De Eye’ has also dragged the company and investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni to court for defamation.
Then, out of the blue, Prof. Kwame Karikari of the Media Foundation for West Africa, last week disclosed that following the death threats, Manasseh had to flee the country.
According to him, "in most of March and April this year, the very well-known and respected investigative journalist of Multimedia fame, Manasseh Azure Awuni spent virtually all of March and April this year running and hiding from rogue elements of unknown identities who were bent on a campaign to murder him. At first, Manasseh's employers kept moving him from hiding place to hiding place. The police came in to provide him bodyguards for protection during the day. Even this was not enough. The threat got so unbearable the Media Foundation for West Africa had to step in to find refuge or safe haven for him in a foreign country.”
Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, Kweku Baako said: "Our security and safety is non-negotiable . . . we’ve passed this stage. Manasseh is one of the best journalists in our contemporary history, it's undeniable but that doesn’t mean he is perfect . . . but his right to feel secured in his own country in pursuit of his profession, we all have to give him the appropriate support."
To Mr Baako, the state had nothing to do with his going out (outside the country) and so the story of the National Security Minister facilitating his trip is "actually untrue".
"I find it impossible for the same state which is giving him (Manasseh) protection to turn round and harm him....
“Nobody can convince me that President Akufo-Addo will be instrumental in generating any regime of fear especially against journalists; nobody, there is nobody, unless you come and show me (Kweku Baako) evidence for me to validate,” he added.
Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com
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Mr always right is a monstrous sin in the side of God. Even ANAS must be very, very careful of you Kwaku with many tongue and wings. Why ? Because he see no evil, no rot, no mistakes about this wicked government of his friends. But God rain fire against all are not after establishing His Given authority. In Jesus name.Amen.
NDC IS THE ONLY VIOLENT PARTY IN GHANA ARE ALL BEHIND ALL THESE THREATS,OFOSU AMPOFO SAID IT.HOW ON EARTH WOULD OUR GAS PIPELINE BE ATTACKED,PYLONS BE PULLED DOWN,THEY JUST WANT TO CREATE A STATE OF ANARCHY,THE POLICE ARE SOING THEIR WORK,NDC ARE EVIL.
Baako seems to be naive?
It is really disturbing that one cannot practise one's profession in one's own democratic country. The fact that the NPP has boycotted Multimedia programs after the Manasseh's broadcast is in it self a threat to his life - no doubt about that. Is the President not ware of the boycott? If these uncivilized things are happening in an Akufo Addo regime who is a renowned human right advocate with a track record, then I am sorry to observe that Ghana is heading nowhere! Development must be holistic, putting fears in your own professionals to flee your country is to say the least a "backward development", which is shameful!
I find it difficult to understand why kwaku baako brought Nana Addo in this denial. no one has said he's behind any threat. what kwaku baako said is even drawing the president in more. don't ask your own question answer!
WHO ARE YOU FOR PEOPLE TO CONVINCE? IF IT WERE TO BE YOUR TIGER EYE JOURNALIST THAT SUCH THREATS WERE BEING MADE TO YOU WOULD HAVE OPENED YOU RECTANGULAR MOUTH TO SHOUT FOUL, FOUL, FOUL
I have a lot of respect for Mr Baako Jnr. But for his partiality and support for the present government, has reduced my respect for him.
Is this what we voted for? eeei NPP your days are numbered ooh
I now understand why CSOs have kept mute and can't talk on issues again. This is because we have a tyrant as a president and his henchmen are ready to kill you.
Manase did a story on the then president Mahama about the ford car saga. but he lived peacefully, nobody harassed him. Manase you see the difference between a government that tolerates people and a tyrant. This is just a story on the Delta force oooh what if it was Nana Addo himself hmmmm eeeei NPP