President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, has raised alarm over an alleged personal threat he received from the Member of Parliament for Yendi Constituency, Farouk Aliu Mahama.

The purported threat comes in the midst of accusations against Farouk Aliu Mahama for assaulting a journalist during a tumultuous incident at the New Patriotic Party's parliamentary primary in Yendi.

Dwumfuor revealed during a press conference on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, that he received a text message from Mahama early in the morning, which he interpreted as a personal threat. The message reportedly stated, "good morning, my lawyers are working on suing the journalist and all involved also for defamation. Rest my case. The name of the game is evidence not just allegations."

This revelation adds another layer of tension to the ongoing controversy surrounding Mahama's alleged assault on a journalist during the NPP primary. Dwumfuor expressed his concern over the nature of the message and declared that he perceives it as a personal threat. He asserted that as journalists, they operate based on facts and evidence, not assumptions or suspicions.

"We want to let him know that as journalists we don’t dwell on assumptions and suspicions. We only base on facts and evidence and I see this as a personal threat," Dwumfuor stated firmly, indicating his readiness to address the matter legally.

Farouk Aliu Mahama has vehemently denied the allegations of assault and has threatened legal action against the journalist who made the accusation. However, Dwumfuor's assertion of a personal threat from the MP further complicates the situation.

During the same press conference, Dwumfuor issued a ten-day ultimatum to both the Ghana Police Service and the New Patriotic Party, demanding swift action against the perpetrators of the alleged assault. He stressed that if the authorities fail to take action within the stipulated timeframe, the GJA and its allied bodies, including the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), will consider alternative measures.

"We are giving the NPP, Regional and National, and the Ghana Police Service ten (10) days ultimatum each to hear from them. They should arrest the perpetrators. If they fail, we shall advise ourselves," the GJA president emphasized.

As the ultimatum looms, all eyes are on the NPP leadership and the Ghana Police Service to ensure that justice is served impartially and expeditiously.