Nigeria’s
controversial “miracle man,” Prophet T.B. Joshua, has a lot of
influence in Ghana emanating not only from his close association with
deceased President John Atta-Mills but also from his ties to some
high-ranking members of the New Patriotic Party.
But
a recent incident in which Mr. Joshua’s bodyguards detained some
journalists in Ghana has revealed the level of influence and power he
actually wields in the West African nation.On May 7, 2013, Mr. Joshua,
who is the General Overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations
(SCOAN), landed in Accra for a special event at the Spintex Road branch
of his church.
Media
reports indicate that the event was well hyped and that a huge crowd
flocked to the venue to see the renowned televangelist. The crush of
people created a traffic nightmare on Spintex Road. T.B. Joshua’s
program was billed to start at 7 a.m.
However,
many of his followers started arriving as early as 2 a.m. Since Ghana’s
Police Motor and Traffic Unit (MTTU) had not been advised of the event,
no preparation was made to contain the situation.
Consequently,
many motorists were caught up in the horrendous traffic snarl for
hours.The event had also attracted a lot of press attention, but two
journalists who went there to cover the resultant traffic chaos were
seized by bodyguards ostensibly hired by the church to protect Pastor
Joshua. In brash contravention of Ghanaian laws, the bodyguards detained
Emmanuel Anteh and his cameraman Gilbert Azu of the Multimedia Group
for over two hours.
Another
group of journalists, Abdul Wahab Giwah and Seth Yeboah, cameramen from
Net 2 Television, were also detained for over six hours.According to
Mr. Anteh, the bodyguards approached them as they were filming the crowd
and invited them into the church, promising to give them a better spot
to film from. But once the cameramen were lured into the church
premises, the bodyguards tried to confiscate their equipment.
The journalists were then locked up in a room where the reporters from Net 2 TV were already being held.
After several hours, Superintendent Alex Kumankani of the Ghana Police Service intervened and the hostages were released.
The journalists were then locked up in a room where the reporters from Net 2 TV were already being held.
After several hours, Superintendent Alex Kumankani of the Ghana Police Service intervened and the hostages were released.
The
illegal detention of reporters has sparked widespread condemnation from
civil society groups and activists. The Ghana Journalists Association
(GJA) called for an apology from the church, which the church reportedly
tendered. A source said the General Overseer even invited the
journalists to personally apologize to them, but this development was
not confirmed. However,the Church hierarchy issued a prompt apology.
Despite
the church’s apology, many Ghanaian civil society advocates are
wondering how the bodyguards took the license to stop journalists from
carrying out their duties. “Did the bodyguards have the right to place
journalists under arrest?” asked an Accra-based lawyer.
he actually wields in the West African nation.On May 7, 2013
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