Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called for police protection for undercover journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, whose latest investigative work has reportedly triggered death threats.

A statement signed by President of the Association, Affail Monney, said Anas "at a very young age has rendered invaluable services to the nation" and therefore requires a 24-hour watch.

The journalist's latest work, 'Number 12', even before its June 6-7 public screening, has raised hairs in Ghana after it was hyped as containing the downfall of sports administrators and politicians.

Already, its first victim, Ghana Football Association President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, is under investigations for defrauding by false pretence after he allegedly used his proximity to the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, to peddle influence.

An MP and Deputy Roads Minister, Anthony Karbo, is also being treated as a person of interest after he was invited by the police to give a statement.

But resistance against Anas's work and methods is increasing with Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, venting his anger on the undercover journalist.

He has accused him of blackmail and tax evasion. The NPP MP also showed photos purported to be different versions of Anas who usually wears a mask in public.

Read: I will fight off any attempt to destroy me, Anas - Baako

Abdul Malik Kweku Baako

But the GJA has backed Anas and his uncover methods which employs baiting suspicious but important public officials.  

Read the GJA statement below:

 

PRESS RELEASE

May 30, 2018

Anas Aremeyaw Anas Needs Police Protection Against Death Threats

It has come to the attention of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) that internationally-acclaimed investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has received many death threats following his latest investigative piece on the game of football in Ghana, which is scheduled to be premiered in Accra on Wednesday, June 6 and Thursday June 7, 2018. According to sources close to the ace investigative journalist, apart from receiving messages containing threats of death, some unidentified persons have been tracking his office and other locations ostensibly to harm him.

Several pictorial images have been posted online, television and on social media. These images, which are not the real identity of Anas, tend to put the lives of other persons at risk and this must stop forthwith. 

The GJA finds these developments extremely disturbing and highly unfortunate. We therefore, urge the Ghana Police Service, Bureau of National Investigations and other security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, and in the utmost national interest, provide a 24-hour protection for Anas and all his interests, including his family and properties. The security agencies should not allow aggrieved and disgruntled individuals to endanger the life of this patriotic citizen of Ghana, who, at a very young age, has rendered very invaluable services to the nation.

We appreciate the fact that investigative pieces of this nature always arouse passion, emotions, anger and even hatred. However, regardless of one’s feelings, whether good or ill, under no circumstances must one deviate from the rule of law to tread on the path of impunity and engage in an assassination mission. Instead, one must resort to the law courts to seek redress to anything one finds untoward in such matters.

Whatever be the case, Chapter 13 of the GJA Code of Ethics fully justifies the means by which Anas conducts his investigative works on the ground of national interest.   

The GJA wishes to remind the nation of Ghana’s enviable first position on the World Press Freedom Index 2018 and the enormous economic benefits it holds for the nation. This achievement was not procured on a silver platter; it was earned through our collective resolve to promote press freedom in the country, as captured under Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution. In that same spirit of unity of purpose, we must collectively resist acts, much less death threats on journalists that have the tendency to undermine our press freedom status and collective good.

Even before the premiering of the undercover expose, Anas’ investigative piece has already generated international interest. And so it is important for us to conduct our affairs in a manner that would bring dignity, not disgrace, to Ghana. The whole world is watching us.

SIGNED

Affail Monney
(President)