The Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA) and its partners, the Media Foundation for West Africa, the Independent Broadcasters Association and the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana have lifted the Media Blackout on Umar Farouk Aliu Mahama, Member of Parliament (MP) for Yendi.
The lifting of the ban becomes necessary, three months after the boycott, as Farouk Aliu Mahama has decided to seek a peaceful settlement.
At a Press Conference at the Ghana International Press Center in Accra, President of GJA, Mr Albert Dwumfour, said on May 6, 2024 the MP, accompanied by the Minister for Information designate, Fatimatu Abubakar and her deputy minister designate, Sylvester Tetteh, sought audience with the GJA and its partners.
He said, in a meeting held at the International Press Center, Farouk Aliu Mahama, decided on amicable settlement in the matter, in the spirit of the World Press Freedom Day, which was celebrated on May 3, 2024.
“After meeting as a coalition to assess the conciliatory gesture of Farouk Aliu Mahama and the plea by the Minister of Information designate and her deputy minister designate, and the positive feedback from the Management of Citi FM, the GJA and its partners have decided to end the media boycott placed on Farouk Aliu Mahama, MP for Yendi.
“We, therefore, respectfully request all media organisations to take note and act accordingly, with effect from today, May 9, 2024. Let me point out that we have the full acceptance on this matter from Citi News Management.”
Mr Dwumfour said the Minister emphasised the need for state and non-state stakeholders to collaborate to combat impunity and ensure that Ghana’s improved press freedom ranking is enhanced.
He said for his part, Farouk Aliu Mahama apologised for the assault on the Citi FM reporter and are committed to working to restore cordial relations with the media in the Northern Region and the country as a whole.
The GJA President said Farouk Aliu Mahama had informed the meeting that he had also withdrawn his suit against the GJA and was ready to meet the Management of Citi FM/TV and the journalist/victim, Mohammed Aminu Alabira, for an amicable settlement.
“Later the same day, Farouk Aliu Mahama wrote an apology letter to the Management of Citi FM/TV and copied the GJA”.
You will recall that on February 6, 2024 the GJA and its partners called on all media organisations not to provide coverage to the Member of Parliament for Yendi, Farouk Aliu Mahama, in his current capacity as MP and in any future capacity, until further notice.
The call followed the assault of Mohammed Aminu Alabira, Northern Region Correspondent of Accra-based Citi News by the MP and some associates of his supporters.
The incident occurred during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries in Yendi, on January 27, 2024.
