The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), in consultation with its media partners, has lifted the media blackout imposed on Member of Parliament (MP) for Awutu-Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson.

The decision was made after a meeting on Thursday, February 15, 2024, to review the situation.

The blackout was initially imposed in response to the assault of a Cape FM morning show host by individuals allegedly linked to the MP.

However, after Ms. Koomson engaged with the GJA and promised to address the issue, the blackout was lifted. The GJA has urged journalists and media houses to comply accordingly.

She was accompanied by the Minister-designate for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, for the meeting, which was attended by the President of the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), Edwin Arthur, the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Gloria Hiadzi, and the Programme Manager for Freedom of Expression at the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Muheeb Saeed.

Also present were the Dean of the Parliamentary Press Corps, Simon Agianab, the President of the New Media Association, Eugene Nkansah; the Executive Secretary of PRINPAG, Jeorge Wilson Kingson, and Gabriel Asante Bosompem, who is one of two GJA representatives on the National Media Commission (NMC).

The Association stated that after extensive deliberations, Ms. Koomson expressed her commitment to providing the necessary support to ensure justice for David Kobenna.

Ms. Abubakar added that the Awutu-Senya East MP was willing to collaborate with the GJA to resolve the issue and that the Ministry of Information would also support in this regard.

“On behalf of the media partners, the GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, commended the Fisheries Minister for taking such positive steps to help find a solution to the problem and expressed the hope that she would live by her pledge,” it added.

Meanwhile, the GJA and its media partners have urged all media houses to continue enforcing the blackout imposed on the MP for Yendi, Farouk Aliu Mahama.

This decision was made in response to allegations that Mr. Mahama assaulted Mohammed Aminu M. Alabira, the Northern Regional correspondent of Citi FM/TV, during the NPP parliamentary primaries on January 27, 2024.