Source: Prince Adu-Owusu
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Effiduase Asokore, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has filed a complaint with the National Media Commission (NMC) against two media outlets operated by Media General for allegedly misrepresenting his comments on illegal mining (galamsey) and spreading false news.
Dr Afriye was reported to have said that the NPP government would not end galamsey because doing so would harm the party’s chances in the upcoming December general elections.
Dr Nana Ayew Afriye
However, he claims that his remarks were distorted.
In a letter sent to the NMC by his lawyers, he alleged that certain media houses, particularly Media General, unprofessionally edited and misrepresented his statements, with the intent of causing public disaffection and damaging his reputation as a medical doctor, politician, and MP.
According to JoyNews’ Kweku Asante, in a discussion with the MP’s legal team, the lawyers stated they are awaiting a response from the NMC after the complaint was forwarded to Media General for their input.
He said that a letter from the NMC to Media General has also been seen, asking the media house to address the matter.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Medical Association has been petitioned to haul before its disciplinary committee and sanction Dr Afriye, for daring to stand against the common position of the association in its call to ban illegal mining.
Read also: MP Ayew Afriye threatens to deal with anti-galamsey protesters if they dare demonstrate in Kumasi
The petitioner, Dr (Med) Samuel Ayeh, a member of the GMA, wants the MP to be hauled before the disciplinary committee to answer questions and be severely sanctioned to “send the strongest of signals about the association’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining” and “most importantly signal to all members of the association the need to maintain high ethical standards befitting of medical practitioners in Ghana.”
In his plea to the GMA, Dr Ayeh emphasised that Dr Afriyie’s stance on galamsey contradicts the association’s official position on the matter.
