Bono Ahafo Sports Broadcasters Association strongly condemns attacks on two journalists

The group, identified as BASBA – Bono Ahafo Sports Broadcasters Association, has strongly condemned attacks on two broadcast journalists who were assaulted at the Golden City Park in Berekum during a Ghana Premier League game on Saturday, January 15, 2022.

Thomas Opoku, who works with Sunyani-based Ark FM popularly known as Opoku Sheva, and Samuel Appiah, who goes by his local monikers Olito, were subjected to cruel physical assaults while the two were on separate duties covering the Ghana Premier League matchday 13 fixture between home side Berekum Chelsea and league leaders Asante Kotoko.

The statement claims the two broadcasters were carrying out their duties ethically at the match venue when the unfortunate incident occurred.

While condemning the unsavoury conduct of the hooligans who perpetrated the crime at the center, the group’s Acting Secretary Bismark Oppong Korang in the statement urged the management of Berekum Chelsea to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged attacks on Appiah Samuel and Opoku Thomas after the game on Saturday to help bring the perpetrators to book.

Meanwhile, the matter is expected to be formally reported to the Ghana Police Service station in Berekum for investigations to commence into the conduct of the supporters which constitutes a breach of the Public Order Act 1994, and a slap in the face of the rights of the media which is enshrined in Article 21(1) and Article 162 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

Below is the full statement.