The Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Brogya Genfi has petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to withdraw the nomination of Major Derek Oduro (rtd) as Deputy Minister-Designate for Defence for justifying an assault on a journalist.
Major Derek Oduro (rtd) in an interview on Starr FM justified the brutality meted out to a journalist by some four soldiers during the 60th anniversary celebrations at the Independence Square.
Parts of the petition, dated 27 March 2017, addressed to the president and copied to the Speaker of Parliament, said: “I, Yaw Brogya Genfi, humbly write to petition Your Excellency to consider a withdrawal of the nomination of Honourable Major Derek Oduro (Retired) as the Deputy Minister of Defence.
The Deputy Minister-designate for Defence reacted in an unacceptable manner when a photojournalist was subjected to military brutality on 6th March, 2017 during the 60th anniversary ceremony at the Black Star Square, Accra.
“Your Excellency, according to the journalist, Mr Kendrick Offei Ansah, four soldiers commanded him to follow them to the Osu Castle after he attempted to shoot a video of them assaulting a civilian at the beach located behind the Black Star Square in Accra.”
“At the Osu Castle, the soldiers ordered him to crush his iPhone with a stone to destroy the evidence after which some of the soldiers pounced on him, beating him viciously while the others watched on. The case has been lodged with the Osu Police Station, and the victim holds a medical report on his assault.
“Major Derek Oduro (retired), who is also the Chairman on the Defence Committee of Parliament, has been loud in the media, defending the military brutality on the journalist, saying military officers will continue to instil discipline in “loud-mouthed” journalists.”
Source: 3news.com
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I heard the said interview with Major Oduro and the described free lance journalist with NanaAba as the host. I felt Major failed to display that discipline the army has expounded over the years. I think Major Oduro as a retired army officer felt too emotionally attached to the army thereby making it difficult for him to have sympathised with the youngmans issue. I expected him to have conducted himself more dignified as a Minister of State designate whose interest should be for the protection of the public good not a few army officers. Though we were only hearing one side of the issue as reported by the Freelance Journalist, Major Oduro's initially response should have been to sympathize with the youngman who claims to have been brutalised by the Soldiers without necessarily pronouncing judgement. Our democracy has travelled to far for us to have such characters parading as Ministers of State. Major Oduro should never forget that whatever power or position he enjoys now, was gotten as a result of the hard work , struggle and Campaign by the ordinary people. His responsibility is to keep it decently in trust of the people. Not to Lord it over them. For ordinary citizens like us who may not have any political party cards but campaigned and voted for NPP. Mr President , please listen to what your own party people are saying and rescind that decision to appoint Major Oduro as Deputy Minister for Defense. His outrances that evening was a big disgrace to the Gh
He is a citizen, let him speak his mind
You just want to be heard. Check ,count the times you have said bad things about the president. It's humane and normal that if you prove to people that you hate them then it is natural that they won't listen to your advise.
Is Yaw Brogya Gyenfi serious at all? An NDC apologist advising NPP president to stop NPP nomination? this is serious paaa.