The colorful event organized to commission the flagship 24-hour market project at Pusiga, in the Upper East region was nearly disrupted, especially the marked press stand, when the constituency communications officer heckled a reporter upon the instruction of the sitting Member of Parliament – Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba.
The heckling and near-punching incident, described by onlookers as embarrassing and uncultured, drew the attention of participants.
Mr. Alale Baba was heard loudly in a furry tone, commanding that one Mr. Ibrahim Abode leaves the scene without delay. The Metro Television reporter was hurled at, but for the swift intervention by other journalists, Ibrahim, this paper is told, would have being beating. When calm was restored, Ibrahim was seen at the scene of the event, but in a disturbed attention.
In a telephone interview, Alale admitted ordering the reporter out of the event under the instructions of the Member of Parliament. “Yes, my MP said she does not need the reporter at the event”. He traces the legislator’s reason for the decision to years back, where he claimed the reporter carried a one-sided news item to the dislike of the legislator. He, however said his action does not amount to press gagging.
Ms. Laadi Ayamba in a telephone interview refused to answer questions regarding the incident. Nicknamed “congratulations, and I wish you well… bye bye” the legislator told The Herald’s Abugri
The heckled reporter told this paper that the action of the communications officer amount to an attack on media freedom. “It is a threat on my life”.
