155 Journalists Petition President to Demand Sanctions against top Presidential Aide

Some 155 journalists from over 40 media organisations across Ghana have joined the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to petition President John Dramani Mahama to demand sanctions against his staffer, Mr. Stan Dodge.
The petition follows Mr. Dogbe’s assault of Mr. Yahayah Kwamoah, a journalist with state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) nearly two months ago. In an incident that many have described as shameful and embarrassing, the Presidential staffer, seized and destroyed the journalist’s recording equipment at the 37 military hospital.
The GBC journalist had gone to the hospital to follow-up on development around the Presidential press corps who had been involved in a serious accident that left one journalist dead and others serious injured.
“It is important to point out that the aggression by your staffer happened at a sad moment for journalists when colleagues covering your office had been involved in a serious accident that resulted in the death of one colleague with others sustaining serious injuries,” the petitioners said.
The petition notes: “We are concerned that over a month after the incident, and despite the several pleas from many people and organisations, your office has not acted on the matter.”
“It is our considered view that the conduct of a staff of your highly esteemed office has a direct bearing on the reputation of the office. We, therefore, call on you to show personal commitment to the rights of journalists and your intolerance of acts that may bring your highly esteemed office into disrepute,” the petition demands.
The full petition to the President is below:
His Excellency
President of the Republic of Ghana
Flagstaff House
Accra
September 30, 2015
Your Excellency,
Petition – Abuse of Journalist by Stan Dogbe
On 20th August, 2015, your staff, Mr. Stan Dogbe, assaulted Mr Yahyah Kwamoah, a journalist with the Ghana Broadcasting   Corporation (GBC). In a rather bizarre conduct, Mr. Dogbe seized and destroyed the voice recorder of the journalist at the 37 Military hospital where the journalist had been to report on the accident involving the Presidential Press Corps.
Since the incident happened, many notable personalities, journalists and organisations have called on your esteemed office to take action against the Presidential staffer. These demands for action were partly because of our concern about the damage caused to the reputation of your high office by the incident.
It is important to point out that the aggression and untoward conduct by your staffer happened at a sad moment for journalists when colleagues covering your office had been involved in a serious accident that resulted in the death of one journalist and left several others seriously injured.
We are concerned that nearly two months after the incident, and despite the several pleas from many people and organisations your office has not acted on the matter.
It is our considered view that the conduct by a staff of your highly esteemed office has a direct bearing on the reputation of the office. We, therefore, join the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in calling on you to demonstrate your personal commitment to the rights and safety of journalists, and also your intolerance of acts that may bring your highly esteemed office into disrepute by taking appropriate actions against Mr. Stan Dogbe.
Yours Sincerely,
Signed:
  1. Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, Freelance Journalist
  2. Agya Kwaku Ogboro, Daily Guide
  3. Eric Bawah, Classic FM
  4. Dela Aku Russel, Daily Graphic
  5. Twumasi Ampofo, Hot FM
  6. Doreen Avio – Hitz FM
  7. Philip M. Ampofo, Hot FM
  8. Sarah B. Ampofo, Hot FM
  9. Charles Takyi Boadu, Daily Guide
  10. Addo George – Joy FM
  11. Beverly Broohm – Hitz FM
  12. Zainab Issah, Daily Graphic
  13. Samson Lardi Ayenini, Multi Tv, Joy FM, Lawyer
  14. Samuel Dowuona, Adom FM
  15. Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, The Chronicle
  16. Bawah Alimatu Wiabriga, Bishara Radio
  17. Afia Agyapomaa Ofosu, TV Africa
  18. Nii Ogbamey Tetteh, Daily Guide
  19. Erasmus Kwaw, Liguid Sports Ghana
  20. Manasseh Awuni Azuri, Joy FM
  21. Nana Boakye Yiadom, Citi FM
  22. Ama Bawa, ATL  FM
  23. Nasara Saibu, Starr FM
  24. Joojo Cobbinah, Multi TV
  25. Ernest Quansah, Melody FM
  26. K Boafo, Hot FM
  27. Charles Asare, Hot FM
  28. Euphemia Akpalu – Hitz FM
  29. Eunice Attakora Manu, Angel FM
  30. Obeng Kwaku, Hot FM
  31. David Andoh – myjoyonline.com
  32. Ebenezer Amuzu, Hot FM
  33. Rahmatu Alhassan, Filla FM
  34. Safik Mohammed, footballgh.com
  35. Bills Gborgli – Adom FM
  36. Ernest Kofi Adu, Daily Guide
  37. John Wesley Danquah, Hot FM
  38. Latifah Oppong Baffour, Breeze FM
  39. Jones Owuraku Mantey, Hot FM
  40. Suraya Titi Alidu, Kapital Radio
  41. Emmanuel Afari Quaye, Space FM
  42. Nana Asare Kwaku Boadu, Cape FM
  43. Nancy Portia Cudjoe, Hot FM
  44. Offei-Akoto Ayeh, A1 Radio
  45. Evans Obiri Appiah, Today Newspaper
  46. Edward Blagogee, Today Newspaper
  47. Obeng Kwaku, Hot FM
  48. Douglas Sakyi, Hot FM
  49. Albert Sore, Joy News Upper West Regional Correspondent
  50. Nana Oye Diabene, Freelance
  51. Yaro Ismail, Might FM
  52. Abena Korantema, Hot FM
  53. Afia Badu Kwarten, Hot FM
  54. MacParadise Okocha, Happy FM
  55. Ato Keelson, Today Newspaper
  56. Benedict Owusu – Joy FM
  57. Napo Ali Fuseini, Today Newspaper,
  58. Koryekpor Freeman, Today Newspaper
  59. Richard Kwasi Adjei Agyapong, Today Newspaper
  60. Smart Takyi Nixon, Hedjorle Online Radio
  61. Frank Agyam – Asempa FM
  62. Moses Rexford Kumah, Hedjorle Online Radio
  63. Yaw Yirenkyi Lamptey, Today Newspaper
  64. Mwini Gabriel, Radio Progress
  65. Nick Opoku – Joy FM
  66. Nana Kwame Dankwah, Hot FM
  67. Henry Harding, Hot FM
  68. Thomas Freeman Yeboah, Hot FM
  69. Stephen Assan, Hot FM
  70. Amoah Elijah, Freelancer
  71. Mohammed Abdul Malik, Zuria FM
  72. Nyarko Abronoma, Vision One FM
  73. Mohammed Mutaka, Diamond FM
  74. Abdulai Abdul Gafaru, Diamond FM
  75. Mohammed Ibn Abdallah, Diamond FM
  76. Sey Mubarik , Kesmi FM
  77. Abdulai Abdul Majeed , Diamond FM
  78. Abdul Kareem Abdul Gafaru, Diamond FM
  79. Abdulai Sayibu Terry, Bishara FM
  80. Amorotee Ibrahim, Justice FM
  81. Queissi  Appiah Lawrence – Hitz FM
  82. Osman Abdul Hafiz- Might FM
  83. Abdulai M. Rafik – North Star Radio
  84. Emmanuel Akli – The Chronicle
  85. Joseph Ackon-Mensah, Student Journalist, Jayee University
  86. Osei Kofi Serebour, Freelance Journalist
  87. Nana Kyei – Freelance
  88. Joe Debrah- Happy FM
  89. Eric K. Adjanor- Atinka FM
  90. Pratt Jude- Atinka FM
  91. Nathaniel Obeng- Atinka FM
  92. Edward Akuffo- Atinka FM
  93. Jerry Tsatsu Mordy- Atinka FM
  94. Richard Gyamfi- Time FM
  95. Bashiru Bukari- West End Radio
  96. Isaac Nuamah Yeboah- Atinka FM
  97. Kofi Larweh- Ghana Community Radio Network
  98. Osman Nuhu- Gmantambu Radio
  99. Adugbire Cletus- A1 Radio
  100. Samuel Sikkayena- Time FM
  101. Ishmael Atiemo- Atinka FM
  102. Kwesi Sarpong- Happy FM
  103. Rahael Asamoah- Peace FM
  104. Samuel Dortey Kumah- Peace FM
  105. Kwakye Kwabena- Happy FM
  106. Isaac Oduro- Peace FM
  107. Yaa Asamoah- Happy FM
  108. Emmanuel Boadi- Happy FM
  109. Samuel Addo- Happy FM
  110. Ernest Della Aglanu –myjoyonline.com
  111. Kwame Owusu Acheampong- Happy FM
  112. Benjamin Mensah- Time FM
  113. Albert Leonard Yirenkyi-Happy FM
  114. Hannah Sekyi-Happy FM
  115. Edwin Appiah – myjoyonline.com
  116. Odeasempa Kwame Oware- Happy FM
  117. Ebenezer Acquah- Happy FM
  118. Daniel Delong- Happy FM/ETV
  119. Doris M. Adams- ETV
  120. Ohene-Bampoe Brenya-  ETV
  121. Fati Shaibu-Ali –   ETV
  122. Harijatu Yabah- Marhaba FM
  123. Thelma Botchway- Peace FM
  124. Abdallah S. Bako- Marhaba FM
  125. Deborah Agyei Amposah- Peace FM
  126. Asmau Bawa- Marhaba FM
  127. Aisha Ashir Habib- Marhaba FM
  128. Michael Botwe- Peace FM
  129. Abdul Wahab J. –Marhaba FM
  130. Kwame Nkrumah- Peace FM
  131. Salifu Abdul-Dahim- Marhaba FM
  132. Ernest Boamah- Multi TV
  133. Koby Gomez-Mensah – Starr FM
  134. Emmmanuel Bekoe- Peace FM
  135. Akua Adufa Mintah – Peace FM
  136. Gilbert Boyefio- Parliamentary News
  137. Papisdaff Abdullah Ali – Starr FM
  138. Maame Adjoa Nkwansiwah, Class Media Group
  139. Kwasi Agyeman- Peace FM
  140. Fred Dzakpata – Starr FM
  141. Naana Ntiri- Peace FM
  142. Osei Owusu Amankwah – Starr FM
  143. Faustine Akwa – myjoyonline.com
  144. Umar Sadat Larry – Hearts News
  145. Frederick Addae Ansah – Live FM, C. Coast
  146. Kwetey Nartey – Joy FM
  147. Malik Abass Daabu – myjoyonline.com
  148. Kwame Yeboah –  Radio Silver
  149. Gloria Akpene Nyarku – Hitz FM
  150. Ebenezer Afenyi Dadzie –  Citi FM
  151. Esinam Femersah – Joy FM
  152. Akosua Asiedua – myjoyonline.com
  153. Richard Ntow Gyan – Akyeah FM
  154. Richard Atenka – The Chroncile
  155. Eugene Akyea Mensah – The Chonicle

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