Despite the peaceful atmosphere and the level of freedom of speech and the press Ghanaians are enjoying under the NPP rule, there are still individuals who would want the country to revert to its dark days, when coughing at the wrong time could result in an arrest.

For exercising her freedom of speech and her duty as a journalist to educate and inform, the Chief Executive Officer of Western Publications Ltd, publishers of Daily Guide, Gina Ama Blay's life is under threat. Her crime: publishing a story headlined "JJ Goes Mad” in the July 2, 2008 edition of the paper.

She received the threat on her life from a man calling himself Gajekpo, who claimed to be a soldier in the Ghana Armed Forces. Gajekpo also sent three threatening text messages.

An official complaint has been made to the Nima Police Station. The report was copied to the National Security Coordinator, the flagbearers of the NDC, NPP, CPP and PNC, the President of the Ghana Journalist Association, the President of the World Association of Newspapers, and the media.

The threat on the life of the Daily Guide CEO is the latest in a number of threats issued to Ghanaians whose actions are perceived to be unfavourable to the National Democratic Congress, which was founded by former President Mr J J Rawlings.

Last week, at least one Supreme Court judge was threatened verbally and through text messages after the incarceration of Tsatsu Tsikata, a leading member of the NDC, for among others, wilfully causing financial loss to the State.

According to a copy of the report filed yesterday by Mrs Blay, who is also the wife of First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Freddie Blay, Gajekpo called her on mobile number 0243507331, and asked whether she was the Editor of the paper, to which she replied that she was the CEO of the company, and that the Editor was out of the country on an educational course.

Gajekpo then asked why the July 2, 2008 edition of the Daily Guide was headlined "JJ Goes Mad," after which he started issuing threatening words such as "you will see", "we would deal with you", and other unprintable words referring to her feminity, and ended by telling her she was a "fool".

Subsequent to the conversation, Gajekpo sent three text messages, all threatening. They read as follows:

"May you be reminded, you fool that, we know all the killers and the transporters of dead women into the country 8 years ago. You work for them. Shameless woman,"

"One more thing, since you know so much, WHO MASTERMINDED THE TORTURE AND KILLING OF ISSA MOBILA? WHERE ARE THE KILLERS? Democrats indeed. VAMPIRES. Just watch. Fool," and "If you think you know so much, to the extend (sic) of knowing about the killings over 26 years ago, why not talk about your VP and others who planned and killed the Yaa Naa (sic) and others? Fu."

Mrs Gina Ama Blay has petitioned the police to take up the issue on her behalf as a journalist and on behalf of her company Daily Guide to safe guard "my limb and our property".

The Statesman called Gajekpo's number, but although it rang several times, it was not answered. Further attempts were equally unsuccessful as at press time. The Police have commenced investigations into the matter.


Source: The Statesman