Difficult time for free press in Africa

By Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism|

The gruesome murder of Ahmed Hussein, an undercover journalist with Ghanaian private investigative firm, Tiger Eye Private Investigators and the invasion of Media Trust Limited by the Nigerian military, are clear indicators that the times are tough for free press in Africa. The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) in this newsletter chronicles the events surrounding both incidences, plus shares an update on its efforts to boost the women to men ratio in newsroom leadership.

The Ahmed Hussein-Suale’s murder investigation

Ahmed Hussein, who worked closely with ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas to expose the rot in Ghana football in an investigative masterpiece dubbed #Number12, was killed on Wednesday, 16 January, by unknown gunmen while driving home. His killing came months after the Assin Central lawmaker, Ken Agyapong, splashed his pictures on TV, calling for revenge over his role in a football corruption probe.

There have been calls by some Ghanaians including the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority, for Kennedy Agyapong to be picked up over his comments inciting violence against the investigator several months before his death.

The calls reached a peak when a US Congressman called on US government to look at possible sanctions including a travel ban against the Member of Parliament for exposing pictures of the deceased after their number 12 investigative piece.

Ken Agyapong, who has since been questioned by the Police Criminal Investigation Department  of the Ghana Police over Ahmed’s killing, has announced a bounty of GH¢100,000 and a house to anyone who is able to provide information that will lead to the arrest of the killers of the undercover journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale. However, Security analyst Adam Bonah, has asked Ken Agyapong to keep his bounty as he himself (Agyapong) is a suspect in the murder.

Meanwhile, the Accra Regional Police Command has also mounted a manhunt for the unknown assailants who were on an unregistered motorbike. WSCIJ reiterates that a thorough investigation must be conducted by the Ghanaian police and the killers of Divela must be brought to book.