The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has declared the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) headquarters as unsafe for journalists, claiming it has failed take measures to end physical attacks on the media. 

According to MFWA, the party has over the years demonstrated that it cannot guarantee the safety of journalists who cover its activities.

The comments come after the party issued a statement distancing itself from an assault on a journalist by a staunch member of the party, Hajia Fati last week Friday.

Hajia Fati reportedly slapped the journalist from the Multimedia Group, Ohemaa Sakyiwaa Ahwenepa at the NPP party’s office, but said she only took that action because the reporter had not sought her permission before taking pictures of her, neither did she introduce herself as a journalist.

But speaking to Starr News, the Executive Director of MFWA, Sulemana Brimah said the party’s statement lacked remorse, adding that the NPP’s Headquarters is unsafe for journalists.

“Given that this is not just the incident that has happened and as I said the past incident even involved four journalists. I would have expected the party to say we acknowledge what has happened, we apologize for this development and going forward these are the steps we’ve taken to ensure that these unfriendly media attitude our people put out there is not something that will continue.

“We petitioned the leadership of the party, it was actually addressed to the acting Chairman and there was no acknowledgment. So to the extent that it went on unacknowledged for me it tells a lot about the leadership of the party attitude when it comes to the safety of journalists and attacks on journalists at the party headquarters. I’m still not convinced that it’s a grounds that is safe for journalists to conduct business from.”