Journalists covering the Golden Jubilee Awards Ceremony held in Sunyani on Saturday as part of activities marking the 50 anniversary celebration of the creation of the Brong Ahafo Region, were brutally attacked by National Democratic Congress (NDC) hooligans believed to be dyed-in-the-wool loyalists of former President Jerry Rawlings. During the attacking spree, which happened in the full glare of NDC officials and some Municipal and District Chief Executive, the Brong Ahafo Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Ghanaian Times Correspondent, Ian Motey; GNA reporter Dennis Peprah; TV Africa Regional Correspondent, Larry Paa Kwesi Moses, Daily Graphic’s Regional Editor, Akwasi Ampratum Mensah; and the Chronicle Regional Correspondent, Michael Boateng, were seriously brutalized. Their mobile phones, unspecified amounts of money and wrist watches were stolen in the process. The situation created pandemonium, bringing the programme to an abrupt end. Every journalist present at the function became a possible target in the attack, as the NDC mob took out their frustration on the hapless reporters. A taxi cab with registration number BA9440, conveying the GNA reporter, who sustained serious injuries to the police station for police protection, had its backdoor glass smashed by the NDC militants. Two of the suspects who allegedly carried out the brutalities on the pressmen were identified as the Kintampo North Constituency Organizer of the NDC and the official driver of the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, Kwasi Oppong Ababio, who also indicated his full support of the action of his party people. An official complaint was lodged with the Sunyani Municipal Police command which had begun investigations into the matter. At the time of filing this report, the victims had been treated and discharged. The incident happened when Mr. Rawlings was about to deliver his address. One of the attackers walked to where the journalists were seated and virtually lifted the GNA reporter, Mr. Peprah and his seat off the ground and started beating him. As Mr. Peprah lay on the ground screaming for help, some attackers who included women activists of the party stamped on his stomach and delivered blows at him from all angles. A policeman who went to the rescue of Mr. Peprah received some slaps by one of the attackers. The regional GJA Chairman, who protested the unfortunate action of the Rawlings boys, had his fair share of brutalities alongside other journalists. This situation compelled the former President to end his speech after a lot of tension was created by the incident, bringing the event to an abrupt end. Meanwhile, Daily Guide has gathered that the GJA is putting its arsenals together to release a statement on the attack on its members. Source: Daily Guide/Ghana