Anas Aremeyaw Anas has gained notoriety for investigative journalism to the extent that people loved to hate him. When he did the expose on the maggot-infested biscuits manufactured by a local company on the Spintex Road, he became the toast of the population.
Fast forward a section began to have issues with his style of journalism, especially when he began wearing the hood to disguise his identity and setting up people in order to present them before the public as corrupt.
To some followers of the media space, Anas’ style was unethical but he himself and some journalists had argued that there was nothing unethical about his style as the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) code of ethics allowed the use of subterfuge in gathering information if the journalist is convinced the national interest was at stake. The debate went on with no general acceptance of that type of journalism.
Then came the ‘Number 12’ expose that put the spotlight on Kwesi Nyantakyi, then President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and other football people for their alleged corrupt activities in the management of football in the country. The football body locally and globally was in a state of shock, forcing the dissolution of the GFA and in its place was established the Normalisation Committee headed by Dr. Kofi Amoah. Mr. Kurt Okraku and his team of leaders at the GFA were beneficiaries of the reforms arising out of the work of the Normalisation Committee.
That was not all as Anas extended the spotlight on Ghana’s judiciary after which a number of judges were dismissed. Some others were investigated in what some said damaged the reputation of judges. Since then, Anas has carried out other investigative pieces, one that led to the dismissal of the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance. The work of Anas has always been mired in controversy, with people like Kennedy Ohene Agyapong calling him names for his attempt to destroy the country.
Their altercation ended in court recently when Anas sued Mr. Agyapong for defaming him. Anas lost the case, with the judge eventually stripping Anas naked describing him as a terrorist with his style of journalism. The woes of Anas did not end with Mr. Agyapong as another citizen sued him for seizing his land to put up an apartment building and a factory.
The court ordered him to demolish the property on someone’s land at Tseado behind the Ghana International Trade Fair at La in Accra.
As if Anas is not learning any lessons from these setbacks, a few days ago he announced that his next expose will shake the foundation of Ghana before the 2024 general election. Perhaps Anas is yet to realise that his style of investigative journalism is losing popular appeal and it will help his reputation if he stops setting up people under the guise of investigative journalism.
He is a lawyer who knows the popular dictum that he who calls for equity must go with clean hands.
Let us ask this simple question: What is Anas afraid of for refusing to show his face to Mr. Nyantakyi in the judge’s chambers before proceedings in open court? Some people have questioned why Anas will be allowed to be in hood in public places when he has put people in the spotlight. Even security operatives who put their lives at risk to protect law and order do not enjoy such privilege.
We share in the GJA code of ethics on the use of subterfuge in gathering information but we disagree with the style of Anas. It is unacceptable if it becomes standard practice. Can you imagine our nightmare if all journalists and security operatives are to parade openly wearing hoods? When some police personnel wear hoods to conduct operations we cry foul but we are looking on while Anas uses crude methods to ruin people’s reputations.
If Anas has any credibility left to shake the foundation of Ghana, he should use it shake the foundation of the buildings he has unlawfully put up on someone’s land at Tseado. Spare us another national agony Mr. Clean who lives in a glass house but constantly throwing stones at others.