The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is appalled by the attack on Kumasi-based Fox FM by as thugs reported to be supporters of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

According to media reports on the incident, the mobsters numbering about six, violently broke into the studios of the radio station during a live programme and attacked the presenter and a panellist on the programme.

The incident is said to have happened during an afternoon political programme on the station on Monday afternoon.

According to the host of the programme, Kwaku Kyere, who spoke to Accra-based Citi FM, one of the panellists on the programme, Mr. Baah Acheamfuor, had made a comment about the NPP on the programme even though the NPP was not the subject for discussion on the programme.
 
The attackers, who were apparently angered by comments made by Mr. Acheamfour, stormed the station on motorbikes, overpowered security men at the station and violently stormed the studios.

According to various media reports corroborated by Nana Anokye, a producer of the programme, upon entering the studios, the well-built attackers pounced on Mr. Acheamfour.

The Presenter of the show, Kwaku Kyere, was also hit by the attackers. The police were called to save the situation but they arrived after the attackers had sped off on their motorbikes.

Mr. Acheamfour is said to be a known supporter of the opposition NPP but a fierce critic of the party’s leader Nana Akufo-Addo.

In September 2015, there were reports in the media indicating that Mr. Acheampong was to face disciplinary actions by the NPP for making certain allegations against some leaders of the party.  

Earlier in May, Mr. Acheamfour had accused the party’s leader of failing to unite factions within the party.   

The MFWA finds the attack on the radio station, the host of the programme and the panellist extremely worrying. The incident smacks of intolerance for dissenting political views and criticism.