BY Daniel Bampoe
In yet another incident raising concerns about press freedom in Ghana, two journalists from investigative outlet The Fourth Estate were compelled to abruptly call off an interview with the acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Prof Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, after alleged interference from the National Security Secretariat.
The scheduled interview, on August 11, was part of an ongoing investigation into a major scandal in the health sector, for which Prof Akoriyea was expected to clarify critical issues.
The journalists had initially agreed to meet him in his office at the GHS headquarters in Accra.
However, upon their arrival, Prof Akoriyea suggested that the venue be shifted to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, popularly known as Ridge Hospital.
Upon reaching the new location, events took a disturbing turn. He reportedly instructed a staff member to “call National Security.”
Shortly afterwards, the journalists received a call from Richard Jakpa, Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat.
Jakpa’s first question was direct: “So you went there, what are you working on?”
When the reporters explained that they were attending a pre-arranged interview with the GHS Director-General, Jakpa pressed further: “Interviewing him about what exactly?” Citing journalistic ethics and the need to protect their sources, the journalists declined to disclose the specifics of their investigation.
At that point, Richard Jakpa allegedly ordered them to “leave the place immediately.”
Faced with the ultimatum and concerned about their personal safety, the reporters complied, aborting the interview and leaving the hospital premises.
They later lodged a formal complaint at the Ministries Police Station in Accra, documenting the incident.
This confrontation has drawn sharp condemnation from press freedom advocates, particularly the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
The organization described the incident as a clear violation of Article 162 (4) of the 1992 Constitution, which prohibits interference in journalists’ professional duties.
“The National Security is fast gaining notoriety for press freedom violations in a way that is seriously disturbing,” remarked MFWA’s Executive Director, Sulemana Braimah.
“What has national security got to do with journalists doing a harmless exercise such as interviewing a public official? Why should national security officials be at the beck and call of public officials to do crude work for them?”
The MFWA stressed that beyond violating media independence, the incident undermines the public’s constitutional right to access information, particularly on matters involving public health governance and accountability.
