The Ashanti Regional Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Daniel Kenu, has officially apologised to the management of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) for withdrawing the assault case against Baffour Gyan and his errand boy from court.
In a statement he signed and issued, Mr Kenu said he acknowledged the fact that much as it was within his right to withdraw the case, it would have been fair and appropriate to inform the management of the company, as well as the GJA, at least the Ashanti Regional chapter, and expressed regret for his act.
“I write to formally apologise to the Graphic Communications Group Limited and the GJA for my unilateral decision to withdraw my assault case from the Kumasi Circuit Court without recourse to them.
“Much as I agree that it was within my right to do so, it would have been fair and appropriate to have hinted at least the Ashanti Regional branch of the association, of which I am a member, more so when it has been very supportive from the day I was assaulted,†the statement said.
Reason for not informing members
“My fear, at the time, was that the association and the GCGL would not grant me my wish, knowing the passion with which they had followed the case. But, respectfully, the trauma I was going through at the time, coupled with my deteriorating health status as a result of my unstable blood pressure and that of my mother’s, as well as the sudden death of my uncle who, until his death, had mounted ceaseless pressure on me to withdraw the case, warranted my action,†it added.
Mr Kenu also rendered an unqualified apology to journalists across the country for disappointing them and asked them to forgive him for his action.
Background
The state pressed assault charges against Baffour Gyan and some macho men who attacked Mr Kenu at the Baba Yara Sports stadium a couple of weeks ago over a question Kenu had posed to Black Stars’ Skipper, Asamoah Gyan, two days earlier before the Ghana-Uganda match about Gyan’s missing friend, Castro.
However, Mr Kenu wrote to withdraw the case from the court last Friday, September 19, 2014 on health grounds.
His action did not sit well with most of his colleagues in the media fraternity and many took to social media to register their displeasure.
Source: Graphic