SOLIDARITY MESSAGE FROM GIBA FOR THE LATE INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST AHMED HUSSEIN SUALE

It is indeed sad that we should gather here today not in joyful celebration but to remember a budding professional whose light was abruptly blown off in the prime of his life. Words cannot begin to describe the apprehension we feel as a result of the dastardly act inflicted upon the person of Ahmed Hussein Suale.

GIBA in no uncertain terms condemns the carefully orchestrated murder of Ahmed Hussein Suale, and all acts of violence especially when these acts are visited on the very professionals working in the media industry including journalists, whose duty it is to inform and educate the general public on issues that affect their livelihood, hold government and leaders accountable to the people, among many others. No media organisation lightly takes the loss of any of its employees, as it puts a toll on that media organization. It is therefore painful when one so committed to his profession, and diligently carrying out his duties to help correct the wrongs in our society should have his life snuffed out just because of a difference in opinion or better still “if you don’t like the message then kill the messenger”. Like others before him, whose brief lives and abrupt ends brought about the catalyst for positive change, GIBA believes that Ahmed Hussein Suale’s dedication to duty will serve as a source of inspiration to many in the media industry to diligently carry out our duties as the fourth estate.

In a fast evolving and advancing society, such violent acts stemming from sheer variation of opinion is retrograde and a manifestation of minds not at par with a modern society that can embrace a harmonious existence with one another. The increasingly rampant cases of violence against media practitioners, such as the dozens who have suffered various degrees of attacks on their persons, without clear closure on cases leaves much to be desired. A developing country like Ghana needs a vibrant media to help in economic development. GIBA would like to remind all that the media holds the key for the growth and development of our country, and so we cannot afford the situation where our media practitioners would have to live each day not knowing when they would be attacked or killed.

It is very intriguing that just when Ghana was ranked first in the whole of Africa as far as press freedom was concerned (just under 2 years ago), we should start experiencing an increase in cases of violence and attacks against media personnel. These acts of violence need to be quickly nipped in the bud if Ghana wants to maintain its position and not decline as has been witnessed with other indices. Perpetrators of such acts need to be quickly apprehended and prosecuted to serve as deterrent. Just yesterday, we read of the arrest of 6 persons in connection with the murder of Ahmed Hussein Suale. We hope this would not turn out to be another case of unresolved murders. GIBA is therefore calling on government, policymakers and the security agencies to as a matter of urgency, put their shoulders to the wheel in solving and prosecuting all cases of abuses and attacks against media professionals, which would consequently serve as a stop to such dastardly acts.

The Good Book teaches us to be thankful in all things, and so we thank the Almighty God for blessing the media industry with dedicated professionals such as Ahmed Hussein Suale. Surely, he will never be forgotten by his colleagues, friends, family and loved ones. May God grant him the inner peace he so much deserves. Death is not the end, it’s just the beginning.

Rest in perfect peace, Ahmed Hussein Suale.