Radio journalist assaulted over comments about presidential candidate

Accra, Ghana - Mahama Shaibu, the northern regional correspondent of Joy FM, an independent Accra-based radio station, was allegedly slapped and insulted by Abdul Latif, a friend of Kwabena Adjepong, one of the presidential aspirants of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The MFWA correspondent reported that Shaibu was attacked in a studio of Diamond FM, an independent radio station in Tamale, the capital of the northern region, where he was a panellist discussing the prospects of the various presidential aspirants in the 2007 presidential primaries of the NPP, slated for the end of the year.

The correspondent claims that Latif, who was unhappy with the journalist's comments, stormed the studio and demanded that he be given an opportunity to react to the comments. Following his unsuccessful bid, he pounced on the journalist and slapped him.

In his analysis, Shaibu, a regular guest of the station, ruled out Adjepong's chances of winning the region.

The journalist intends to file a complaint to the police.

MFWA has learned that the attack on the journalist nearly marred the Press Freedom Day celebration in the region.

Source: MFWA