JUSAG condemns attack on Journalists, court users and Staff

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has condemned the recent attack on journalists within the Court premises, describing it as an assault on both the Judiciary and the justice system.In a statement issued by JUSAG President Mr. Samuel Afotey Otu, the association said any attack on press freedom undermined democracy.JUSAG said the incident involved the Legal Affairs Correspondent of EIB Network, Mr. Murtala Inusah, along with Ms. Bernice Bessey and other court reporters, who were targeted by supporters of Bishop Salifu Amoako while performing their lawful duties on October 16, 2024.'Our information is that one of the journalists, Mr IMurtala, had his phone damaged in addition to the assault on him.'JUSAG has sighed the disturbing pictures and videos of the event with much concern. It clearly shows that Court staff and other users around that time were not safe,' it said.JUSAG expressed deep concern over the increasing trend of attacks on court staff, users, and individuals within court premises, labeling it as very disturbing.The association condemned the actions of the attackers as unlawful and uncivilized, asserting that such behavior must be unequivocally denounced.' It is time for decisive actions to be taken to curtail the unfortunate practice to guarantee the safety of staff and all persons who come to Court to access justice.'It was our expectations that the Police could have effected immediate arrest of the perpetrators of this attack,' it saidJUSAG called on the police to act swiftly to ensure justice for Mr. Inusah, Ms Bessey, and the other court correspondents affected by the attack.They highlighted Mr. Inusah's commitment to ethics and professionalism, noting that he was honored as the best court correspondent during JUSAG's 50th Anniversary celebrations in Cape Coast on September 21, 2024.The association wished all the victims a speedy recovery and assured them of their full support.'We wish to urge the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) and organisations wi thin the media space to take serious interest in the matter,' it said.Two of the victims of the attack have filed complaints at the Ministries Police Station in Accra.Source: Ghana News Agency