Mr. Dogbe, who handles communications at the Presidency, reportedly assaulted and destroyed the voice recorder of Yahaya Kuamoah, a reporter with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) whom he accused of recording a private conversation.
The incident was said to have happened at the 37 Military Hospital where victims of the presidential press corps accident which killed one journalist, Samuel Nuamah and injured others on August 20, 2015 had been taken to for medical attention.
Many, including the Media Foundation for West Africa, have condemned the actions of Mr. Dogbe with some demanding his removal since his action, described as shameful, has brought the Presidency into disrepute.
Although the Chief of Staff reportedly took up the matter, nothing has been heard or done about the incident, almost two months after.
The situation prompted the Foundation, which has been championing press freedom in the sub-region, to lead a campaign to get Mr. Dogbe sanctioned for his action. A petition put together by the Foundation received 155 signatories of journalists from various media institutions in the country.
The petition, which was presented to the Flagstaff House Wednesday afternoon said: “It is important to point out that the aggression by your staffer happened at a sad moment for journalists when colleagues covering your office had been involved in a serious accident that resulted in the death of one colleague with others sustaining serious injuries”.
The petitioners add: “We are concerned that over a month after the incident, and despite the several pleas from many people and organisations, your office has not acted on the matter.”
“It is our considered view that the conduct of a staff of your highly esteemed office has a direct bearing on the reputation of the office. We, therefore, call on you to show personal commitment to the rights of journalists and your intolerance of acts that may bring your highly esteemed office into disrepute,” the petition demands.
The full petition to the President is below:
Your Excellency,
Petition – Abuse of Journalist by Stan Dogbe
On 20th August, 2015, your staff, Mr. Stan Dogbe, assaulted Mr Yahyah Kwamoah, a journalist with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). In a rather bizarre conduct, Mr. Dogbe seized and destroyed the voice recorder of the journalist at the 37 Military hospital where the journalist had been to report on the accident involving the Presidential Press Corps.
Since the incident happened, many notable personalities, journalists and organisations have called on your esteemed office to take action against the Presidential staffer. These demands for action were partly because of our concern about the damage caused to the reputation of your high office by the incident.
It is important to point out that the aggression and untoward conduct by your staffer happened at a sad moment for journalists when colleagues covering your office had been involved in a serious accident that resulted in the death of one journalist and left several others seriously injured.
We are concerned that nearly two months after the incident, and despite the several pleas from many people and organisations your office has not acted on the matter.
It is our considered view that the conduct by a staff of your highly esteemed office has a direct bearing on the reputation of the office. We, therefore, join the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in calling on you to demonstrate your personal commitment to the rights and safety of journalists, and also your intolerance of acts that may bring your highly esteemed office into disrepute by taking appropriate actions against Mr. Stan Dogbe.
Yours Sincerely,
Signed:
1. Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, Veteran Journalist
2. Agya Kwaku Ogboro, Daily Guide
3. Eric Bawah, Classic FM
4. Dela Aku Russel, Daily Graphic
5. Twumasi Ampofo, Hot FM
6. Doreen Avio – Hitz FM
7. Philip M. Ampofo, Hot FM
8. Sarah B. Ampofo, Hot FM
9. Charles Takyi Boadu, Daily Guide
10. Addo George – Joy FM
11. Beverly Broohm – Hitz FM
12. Zainab Issah, Daily Graphic
13. Samson Lardi Ayenini, Multi Tv, Joy FM, Lawyer
14. Samuel Dowuona, Adom FM
15. Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, The Chronicle
16. Bawah Alimatu Wiabriga, Bishara Radio
17. Afia Agyapomaa Ofosu, TV Africa
18. Nii Ogbamey Tetteh, Daily Guide
19. Erasmus Kwaw, Liguid Sports Ghana
20. Manasseh Awuni Azuri, Joy FM
21. Nana Boakye Yiadom, Citi FM
22. Ama Bawa, ATL FM
23. Nasara Saibu, Starr FM
24. Joojo Cobbinah, Multi TV
25. Ernest Quansah, Melody FM
26. K Boafo, Hot FM
27. Charles Asare, Hot FM
28. Euphemia Akpalu – Hitz FM
29. Eunice Attakora Manu, Angel FM
30. Obeng Kwaku, Hot FM
31. David Andoh – myjoyonline.com
32. Ebenezer Amuzu, Hot FM
33. Rahmatu Alhassan, Filla FM
34. Safik Mohammed, footballgh.com
35. Bills Gborgli – Adom FM
36. Ernest Kofi Adu, Daily Guide
37. John Wesley Danquah, Hot FM
38. Latifah Oppong Baffour, Breeze FM
39. Jones Owuraku Mantey, Hot FM
40. Suraya Titi Alidu, Kapital Radio
41. Emmanuel Afari Quaye, Space FM
42. Nana Asare Kwaku Boadu, Cape FM
43. Nancy Portia Cudjoe, Hot FM
44. Offei-Akoto Ayeh, A1 Radio
45. Evans Obiri Appiah, Today Newspaper
46. Edward Blagogee, Today Newspaper
47. Obeng Kwaku, Hot FM
48. Douglas Sakyi, Hot FM
49. Albert Sore, Joy News Upper West Regional Correspondent
50. Nana Oye Diabene, Freelance
51. Yaro Ismail, Might FM
52. Abena Korantema, Hot FM
53. Afia Badu Kwarten, Hot FM
54. MacParadise Okocha, Happy FM
55. Ato Keelson, Today Newspaper
56. Benedict Owusu – Joy FM
57. Napo Ali Fuseini, Today Newspaper,
58. Koryekpor Freeman, Today Newspaper
59. Richard Kwasi Adjei Agyapong, Today Newspaper
60. Smart Takyi Nixon, Hedjorle Online Radio
61. Frank Agyam – Asempa FM
62. Moses Rexford Kumah, Hedjorle Online Radio
63. Yaw Yirenkyi Lamptey, Today Newspaper
64. Mwini Gabriel, Radio Progress
65. Nick Opoku – Joy FM
66. Nana Kwame Dankwah, Hot FM
67. Henry Harding, Hot FM
68. Thomas Freeman Yeboah, Hot FM
69. Stephen Assan, Hot FM
70. Amoah Elijah, Freelancer
71. Mohammed Abdul Malik, Zuria FM
72. Nyarko Abronoma, Vision One FM
73. Mohammed Mutaka, Diamond FM
74. Abdulai Abdul Gafaru, Diamond FM
75. Mohammed Ibn Abdallah, Diamond FM
76. Sey Mubarik , Kesmi FM
77. Abdulai Abdul Majeed , Diamond FM
78. Abdul Kareem Abdul Gafaru, Diamond FM
79. Abdulai Sayibu Terry, Bishara FM
80. Amorotee Ibrahim, Justice FM
81. Queissi Appiah Lawrence – Hitz FM
82. Osman Abdul Hafiz- Might FM
83. Abdulai M. Rafik – North Star Radio
84. Emmanuel Akli – The Chronicle
85. Joseph Ackon-Mensah, Student Journalist, Jayee University
86. Osei Kofi Serebour, Freelance Journalist
87. Nana Kyei – Freelance
88. Joe Debrah- Happy FM
89. Eric K. Adjanor- Atinka FM
90. Pratt Jude- Atinka FM
91. Nathaniel Obeng- Atinka FM
92. Edward Akuffo- Atinka FM
93. Jerry Tsatsu Mordy- Atinka FM
94. Richard Gyamfi- Time FM
95. Bashiru Bukari- West End Radio
96. Isaac Nuamah Yeboah- Atinka FM
97. Kofi Larweh- Ghana Community Radio Network
98. Osman Nuhu- Gmantambu Radio
99. Adugbire Cletus- A1 Radio
100.Samuel Sikkayena- Time FM
101.Ishmael Atiemo- Atinka FM
102.Kwesi Sarpong- Happy FM
103.Rahael Asamoah- Peace FM
104.Samuel Dortey Kumah- Peace FM
105.Kwakye Kwabena- Happy FM
106.Isaac Oduro- Peace FM
107.Yaa Asamoah- Happy FM
108.Emmanuel Boadi- Happy FM
109.Samuel Addo- Happy FM
110.Ernest Della Aglanu –myjoyonline.com
111.Kwame Owusu Acheampong- Happy FM
112.Benjamin Mensah- Time FM
113.Albert Leonard Yirenkyi-Happy FM
114.Hannah Sekyi-Happy FM
115.Edwin Appiah – myjoyonline.com
116.Odeasempa Kwame Oware- Happy FM
117.Ebenezer Acquah- Happy FM
118.Daniel Delong- Happy FM/ETV
119.Doris M. Adams- ETV
120.Ohene-Bampoe Brenya- ETV
121.Fati Shaibu-Ali – ETV
122.Harijatu Yabah- Marhaba FM
123.Thelma Botchway- Peace FM
124.Abdallah S. Bako- Marhaba FM
125.Deborah Agyei Amposah- Peace FM
126.Asmau Bawa- Marhaba FM
127.Aisha Ashir Habib- Marhaba FM
128.Michael Botwe- Peace FM
129.Abdul Wahab J. –Marhaba FM
130.Kwame Nkrumah- Peace FM
131.Salifu Abdul-Dahim- Marhaba FM
132.Ernest Boamah- Multi TV
133.Koby Gomez-Mensah – Starr FM
134.Emmmanuel Bekoe- Peace FM
135.Akua Adufa Mintah – Peace FM
136.Gilbert Boyefio- Parliamentary News
137.Papisdaff Abdullah Ali – Starr FM
138.Maame Adjoa Nkansiwah, Class Media Group
139.Kwasi Agyeman- Peace FM
140.Fred Dzakpata – Starr FM
141.Naana Ntiri- Peace FM
142.Osei Owusu Amankwah – Starr FM
143.Faustine Akwa – myjoyonline.com
144.Umar Sadat Larry – Hearts News
145.Frederick Addae Ansah – Live FM, C. Coast
146.Kwetey Nartey – Joy FM
147.Malik Abass Daabu – myjoyonline.com
148.Kwame Yeboah – Radio Silver
149.Gloria Akpene Nyarku – Hitz FM
150.Ebenezer Afenyi Dadzie – Citi FM
151.Esinam Femersah – Joy FM
152.Akosua Asiedua – myjoyonline.com
153.Richard Ntow Gyan – Akyeah FM
154.Richard Atenka – The Chronicle
155.Eugene Akyea Mensah – The Chronicle
By: Stephen Kwabena Effah/3news.com