The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has defended his ministry’s stance on condemning attacks on media houses and journalists.

His response comes in light of criticism from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) concerning his recent statement regarding the assault on United Television (UTV).

In a statement signed by Kofi Yeboah, the General Secretary of the GJA, the association expressed disappointment with the Minister’s statement, noting that it lacked decisiveness and criticized his mention of alleged unauthorized entry by the assailants during the UTV attack.

The GJA also pointed out a perceived disparity in the Minister’s response to the UTV incident compared to a prior incident where a journalist at Dagbon FM was assaulted by an NDC activist.

Oppong Nkrumah, in response to these allegations, asserted that his ministry had consistently condemned attacks on media houses and journalists carried out by individuals affiliated with political parties.

He clarified that the ministry’s statements are based on the information available at the time and are updated as more details emerge.

The Minister emphasized the need for unity and collaboration to address such incidents, stating, “My view is that I think we have been consistent, we don’t need to break ranks, we need to put the attention where attention needs to be put [and] that is prosecution and the courts, that we stand together with them and we use them to ensure that there is deterrence.”