Manasseh Azure flown out of Ghana following death threats
Multimedia journalist, Manasseh Azure, has been flown outside the country following threats on his life after millitia video, the founder of Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Professor Kwame Karikari, has disclosed.
Founder of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Professor Kwame Karikari, says the foundation has secured a safe place for journalist, Manasseh Azure, outside the country following threats on his life.
Professor Karikari said in an interview that although the threat on Manasseh’s life started after the militia documentary, they are unable to affirm whether or not the threats are as a result of the video.
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“Based on the country’s record with press freedom in the Fourth Republic, we would want to believe that these issues with Manasseh have nothing to do with the government,” he said.
Prof. Karikari disclosed that “the Media Foundation got wind of the threat on Manneseh’s life. We interviewed him and he confirmed the threat. We also got confirmation from his employer, CEO of Multimedia, Kwesi Twum.”
He also said that for a week Mr. Kwesi Twum and his company were hiding Manasseh at different locations in hope to prevent the threats from reaching him. But the threats kept coming and it even worsened.
‘‘The Media Foundation decided to find a safe haven for him outside the country for a certain period of time with hope that things get better and he can return to the country and be safe,” Prof. Karikari added.
Manasseh Azure’s life came under threat following a documentary he produced titled ‘‘Militia in the heart of the nation.’’
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The documentary alleged a pro-government militia group was being trained at the former seat of government, the Christiansborg Castle.
The government has since refuted the claim.
Professor Karikari also stated that the decision to find a safe place for Manasseh was exclusively the Foundation’s with no request from Multimedia where the journalist works.
“The company didn’t come to us for any assistance. We decided based on our own communication with Manasseh that it might be useful for him to get out of the country,” he emphasized.
Manasseh’s lawyer
Samson Lardy Anyenini, the lawyer for Manasseh Azure, also affirmed that his client received death threats and was flown out of the country.
“Multimedia did not need to give approval for Manasseh’s relocation because the situation had got to a stage that the steps taken by MFWA and the National Security Minister needed to be taken.’’
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Source: YEN.com.gh
