The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), condemns threats made by a group fanatical supporters Kumasi Asante Kotoko football club against six journalists, and urges police to take action to protect the victims.
Asante Kotoko Extrems, a group calling itself Asante Koroko Ultras, threatened journalists and former officers of the club in a press release. The group considers them hostile to the club’s current administration and the club’s current administration.
The statement specifically mentioned Obeng Kweku Andy (aka Papa Maestro), Benedict Kwadwo Mesah (aka Moshoeshoe), Nuhu Adam, Owusu Beempah, Owusu Adams (aka Ayala), all of whom are from Multimedia Group, as well as Rockson Adjei Yeboah, from Fox FM, as well as Richmond Opoku (aka Pkay), from Class Media Group. Yamoah Ponkoh, Nana Gyambibi Coker, and other former Management members of club were also targeted.
The above-named persons have been outspoken critics of Kumasi Asante Kotoko in recent times and have been particularly strident in their review of the Ghanaian Champions’ performance following their early exit from the CAF Champions League. Kotoko lost 1-0 at-home in regulation time, and 1-3 on penalties to Burkinabe side RC Kadiogo in the preliminary stage on September 18, 2022.
The Kotoko Ultras issued a statement on September 21, 2022, labelled the criticisms against their club and its Management as a “destructive campaign” and warned that “It is about time we bare [sic] our teeth at these rogues and show them where power lies.”
The statement warned the individuals involved “to stay away from the club, especially this coming Sunday if they do value their lives,” referring to the club’s upcoming big home match against arch-rivals Accra Hearts of Oak on September 25.
The Media Foundation for West Africa condemns threats made against six journalists and two others. It is a reckless act criminality that aims to intimidate journalists and impose censorship on critical reporting regarding a popular football team.
We commend the Ashanti Regional Police Command’s police CID unit, for summoning and interrogating these threat-makers quickly. We urge them to ensure the protection of the targeted journalists should they attend the Kotoko – Hearts match on September 25, and to hold the Kotoko Ultras responsible should anything untoward happen to any of them.
The MFWA congratulates the journalists who reported the threats to the police. We urge the authorities to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.
Source: mfwa.org
