The United Press for Development Network (UPDN) has attributed government’s inability to ensure justice in the murder of Tiger Eye PI investigative journalist, Ahmed Suale to lack of political will to bring closure to the matter.
This, they said, undermines the credentials of the justice system of the country and is a danger to press freedom and democratic governance in the country.
The group is therefore encouraging the Police to fast-track investigations into the matter to ensure justice prevails.
“For us, Government has demonstrated a lack of political will to bring closure to the gruesome murder of Ahmed Suale and this does not only undermine the credentials of President Akufo-Addo and the Justice system but it is a dangerous precedent for press freedom in Ghana’s democratic governance.
The ghastly murder of Ahmed Suale is still fresh on our minds and we encourage the Police to fast-track investigations to serve justice,” UPDN said in a press statement dated January 14.
Remembering Ahmed Suale’s murder three years on, UPDN noted that the failure by the government to deliver justice would lead to grave consequences not only on media freedom, but public confidence as well.
“Failure to deliver justice in situations like this, thwarts critical journalistic information, public confidence and welcome censorship as the ultimate consequence. We request the government to increase its efforts to ensure the safety of journalists,” part of the statement reads.
The UPDN said it will formally petition the Inspector General of Police on January 17, 2022, on the issue.
“As we plan to formally petition the current Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akufo Dampare on Monday 17th January, 2022, we believe that things will be pursued differently under his administration,” the group said.
They further urged media practitioners to observe a minute of silence on every 16th day of January to condemn attacks on Press Freedom in the country.
The group will hold it’s third Ahmed Suale Press Freedom Memorial Lecture on May 3, 2022, (World Press Freedom Day) in memory of the late investigative journalist. Saturday, January 15, 2022 has also been scheduled for a commemorative health walk in honour of the late Ahmed Suale.
The commemorative health walk will begin at 7:00am from the Ayi Mensah toll booth and end at Peduase.
Ahmed Hussein Suale was murdered by an unknown assailant in his vehicle on January 16, 2019, due to his key contribution to the #12 investigations which exposed the rot at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) led by the then President, Kwasi Nyantakyi.
The expose led to the collapse of the administration of former President of GFA, Kwasi Nyantakyi.
It’s been three years since the death of Ahmed Suale and the Police are still investigating the gruesome murder.
Source: Ghana News
