Private legal practitioner, Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo has described the latest documentary by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and titled “Galamsey economy” as an entrapment.
President Akufo-Addo terminated the appointment of the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry Charles Adu Boahen in connection with the investigative piece.
“After being made aware of the allegations levelled against the Minister in the exposé, “Galamsey Economy”, the President spoke to Mr. Adu Boahen, after which he took the decision to terminate his appointment, and also to refer the matter to the Special Prosecutor for further investigations,” the statement of his termination said.
Reacting to the development on Asaase 99.5 Accra’s news analysis and current affairs show – The Forum – on Saturday (19 November), Addo said the Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng cannot handle the case.
“Journalism isn’t about trapping people,” Addo said. “It’s not about setting people up. It’s about filming people in their natural state; that is why I sued the GJA [Ghana Journalists’ Association] for awarding him [Anas] Journalist of the Year. I’m happy that Kennedy Agyapong went out there.”
“Now there are rules, but I think we need to do more. Journalists need to do more. What I see is not journalism, it’s entrapment.
“I don’t think Kissi Agyebeng will be able to handle this thing because he was Anas’s private lawyer and his firm still represents him,” Addo said.
Misleading piece
Speaking on the same programme, the deputy general secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Antoinette Tsiboe-Darko described the investigative piece as misleading.
“I find something wrong with the legality of the whole exposé. I think that an investigative piece professionally and legally is based on fact. Some of the things being said in the voiceover, where are they from?” she asked.