- Police have arrested 16 people in connection with an unfortunate incident at the UTV studios in Accra
- Some media personalities bemoaned the IGP and the authorities for not taking the case harder
- The IGP has found that their part is done even though they intend to continue to monitor and engage the station
The Inspector General of Police of Ghana, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, spoke publicly about the unfortunate incident on UTV on October 7.
That night, 16 hooligans identified as affiliates of the ruling party, NPP, stormed the UTV studios in an attempt to disrupt the live telecast of the station’s nightly show, United Showbiz, at seven minutes.
At an event organized by the Ghana Police Service to address the concerns of Ghanaian creative professionals ahead of an important December in Ghana, the IGP addressed the issue for the first time.
Source: Instagram
Ghanaians are pressing the authorities to deal with the case more severely
While all 16 people of the hooligan group were rounded up by the police the next day and charged weeks later, some celebrities expressed their displeasure with the way the case was handled.
The miscreants were accused of being at the premises without a purpose and fined GH 2400 each following huge pressure from institutions such as the National Media Commission, the Ministry of Information and the Ghana Private Newspaper Publishers Association, asking the police to expedite the management of case.
Some media personalities including Peace FM presenter Vim Lady, he said the charge was not deterrent enough.
IGP speaks on UTV issue with 16 NPP hooligans for first time
At the event held for creatives, Joy FM broadcaster, Kojo Yankson reiterated the position of the aggrieved media personalities demanding stricter action against NPP thugs.
“If there is no consequence when a journalist is attacked, how will it stop,” lamented Kojo Yankson as he asked the IGPs and the police for a permanent solution.
The IGP responded by reminding the public that the police belonged to only one of the three branches of government. Therefore, the police did their part by preparing the case file and taking the case to the court to decide on the matter.
“The most important thing is that, from a police perspective, we’ve taken all the actions we need to take. But if there are issues, we’ll continue to engage with UTV to make sure we’re on the same page.”
The IGP forgives the police officers who called for his removal
Earlier, YEN.com.gh he said in a leaked audio of some top officials of the Ghana Police Service plotting to remove their boss, IGP George Akuffo Dampare.
The IGP, who appeared before the committee openly probing the matter, said he saw the officials involved as brothers and therefore forgives them for tarnishing his image and the efforts of the police.
Source: YEN.com.gh