Mahama’s ‘journalist beater’ identified and suspended – Vanderpuye reveals

The security official attached to former president John Mahama’s campaign team who slapped a Joy News journalist, has been identified and suspended, a member of the campaign team has revealed.

Nii Lantey Vanderpuye told the AM Show on the Joy News channel Thursday that, the fellow has been removed from the pack and also hinted that he will face legal action soon.

“The person who assaulted Kwesi Parker Wilson has been dealt with. He’s no more around the campaign…he has been suspended and the office is coordinating with the police very well on this issue…,” the legislator said.

Nii Lantey Vanderpuye

He added that “whenever they [police] are ready to take action, the person will be handed to them”.

The Odododiodoo MP further told host, Mamavi Owusu Aboagye that the Mahama campaign “would not support attacks on any journalists”.

The news is welcoming

Executive Director for the Media Foundation of West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah who spoke to the matter the AM Show noted that the interdiction of the assaulter was welcoming.

He, however, added that the team should fast-track their coordination with the police and ensure that justice is served.

“The police action is what we should all look forward to at the moment,” he stated.

Attack

Joy News reporter was left with a bruised and swollen face after a member of Mahama’s campaign team slapped him a few weeks ago.

The ex-President was on a campaign tour in the Greater Accra region had just finished campaigning at Pentecost University and decided to thank the university authorities.

When Parker attempted covering that, the security told him to stay back but the reporter tried explaining that he was with the former President all day and had covered every activity, the macho man took it as an affront to his authority.

“You are challenging my authority”, Parker reported the security man to have said.

Before he knew it, the slaps had already landed and he went blank.

The ex-President apologised to him and promised to find the fellow. The PRO of the campaign team, James Agyenim Boateng also issued a statement to that effect.