John Boadu
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has came under fire after its staunch member, Hajia Fati attacked a journalist at the party’s headquarters, Friday.
Hajia Fati is alleged to have slapped Ohemaa Sekyiwaa on her face when she tried interviewing her (Hajia Fati) about issues regarding suspended Sammy Crabbe whom she prevented from picking nomination forms to contest for the Chairmanship position at the NPP’s National Delegates Conference.
Many were wondering why the party was silent on the issue especially as they joined journalists worldwide to celebrate the 2018 International Press Freedom Day.
On Tuesday in an interview with Kwami Sefa-Kayi on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, the Acting General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu condemned the act, adding that under no circumstance should any journalist be attacked.
He pleaded with anyone affected with the incident and the Journalist, Ohemaa Sekyiwaa that the party is not known for such babaric acts and will take measures to ensure such things do not happen again.
“I think it is something that we can not encourage at all”, he said.
The NPP will be electing national executives from 15 – 17 Juned in Koforidua, Eastern Region. It follows its branch and regional elections held across the country.
Background
Suspended Vice Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Sammy Crabbe, was prevented by Hajia Fati, a known party activist, from picking nomination forms at the party’s national headquarters at Asylum Down, Accra, to enable him contest for the National Chairman position of the party.
The incident occurred on Friday, 4 April 2018, as Mr Crabbe, who was suspended in the lead-up to the 2016 general elections, along with then-NPP National Chairman Paul Afoko and then-General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong, entered the headquarters to pay for his nomination forms with a banker’s draft.
However, a frenzied Madam Fati descended downstairs and threatened never to allow the party to sell the forms to Mr Crabbe or to allow the suspended party official back into the office.
She also assaulted a journalist from Adom FM, Ama Sekyiwaa, who attempted speaking to her about the rumpus.
”I only went there to do my job and didn’t flout any law as I was cooperative. The atmosphere was not too friendly so I wanted to capture the environment. As soon as I took out my camera, Hajia Fati smashed my phone and heavily punched me. We are currently looking at the law to possibly take a legal action against her”, Adom FM’s Reporter, Ohemaa Sakyiwaa narrated.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has condemned the attack.
At a press conference, President of the GJA, Mr. Affail Monney said the Association is considering legal action against the ‘fiery’ NPP fanatic as a legal team has been put together to address the issue.
-Peacefmonline