The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has made a fervent appeal to media houses and journalists to impose a media blackout on Mavis Hawa Koomson, the Minister of Fisheries and Member of Parliament for the Awutu Senya East constituency in the Central Region. 

This plea follows the failure of the police to apprehend individuals who physically assaulted David Kobina, a journalist with Cape FM in the Central Region, during the vetting process for the NPP’s parliamentary aspirants.

Expressing deep concern over the inaction of both the NPP and the police in addressing the assault on the journalist, Mr Dwumfour emphasized the urgency of the situation, prompting the call for a complete media blackout on Mavis Hawa Koomson.

In a statement to the media, Mr Dwumfour highlighted the GJA's efforts to seek justice through written petitions to the NPP, along with a set of demands. However, with no progress made and the deadline passed, the GJA felt compelled to take further action due to the deafening silence surrounding the incident.

Mr Dwumfour cited the escalating cases of attacks against journalists and media practitioners, coupled with intelligence suggesting potential threats from individuals associated with Mavis Hawa Koomson, as reasons for the drastic measure. 

He stressed the importance of media solidarity and collective action to safeguard the lives and well-being of journalists and other media personnel.

In light of these concerns and consultations with partner institutions, the GJA urged all media houses to refrain from covering Mavis Hawa Koomson and to maintain distance from her as a minister of state.