By Isaac Ato MENSAH
Accra – 21 January, 2019
Ghanaian Journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale was on January 16 shot and killed in cold blood – in Accra.
May the Almighty Allah – Master of the Day of Judgment, have mercy on his soul and grant him eternal rest.
Those who committed this barbaric act will surely face divine justice even if they escape thorough investigation and legal punishment.
Now what is left but to continue the fight – speaking truth to power.
Sometimes it is good to wear the mask, especially in societies were corruption is deep and prevalent.
The mask has its place in many cultures; there is nothing wrong with wearing a mask.
Sometimes also you have to say it with a plain face; without wearing a mask.
In our family settings it has become customary nowadays to “hire a lawyer”, that is, taking in alcohol to embolden you to say what you otherwise fear to say.
Some people say silence is golden; yes it is, except that those who say that often are condemning those who speak out against evil.
Their understanding of Wisdom involves lobbying those who wield temporal power quietly, fawning over them with false platitudes and showering them with gifts in expectation of favours or leniency for an offence committed.
Let it not be said that there are no men and women in this land which our fathers and mothers won for us with their sweat and blood.
Let it not be said that a journalist was killed so every journalist in Ghana is beginning to look over his or her shoulder.
Remember, the valiant die but once.
Let it not be said that upon the murder of Ahmed Hussein-Suale, speaking truth to power ceased in this land.
For the record, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Tiger Eye PI have on occasion practised the wrong form of investigative journalism; they have sometimes invented news which is wrong.
In the cocoa smuggling investigations, for example, they got cash from Ghana Cocoa Board which they used to invent cocoa smuggling stories.
It does not matter whether the BBC is supporting them or not; such tactics constitute invention of news and it is wrong.
It can never be called investigative journalism.
The Ghana Journalists Association and the National Media Commission have obfuscated and dodged clear cut pronouncements on that reckless brand of journalism.
The reason is not difficult to fathom; they fear public opinion because Anas is popular and deep seated evil corruption is being exposed by him and his team.
But there are so many legitimate channels of redress available to those who have felt wronged by Anas, Hussein-Suale and Tiger Eye PI.
When you have recourse to violence; when you plan to shoot and kill, then you demonstrate that you cannot use logic, grammar and rhetoric to convince anyone.
And if you cannot do that, you have no place in a libertarian democratic society…….make that a civilized or enlightened society.
Evil and wicked invented news making (setting up an action for the purpose of recording) and the dastardly retribution that has occurred by way of assassination that we have witnessed, can fester in an environment such as ours – where public opinion is used in decision making by politicians, the business establishment and the highly schooled middle class.
If our public relations practice and crucial decision making are based on public opinion without any recourse to the liberal arts and sciences, then we can NEVER develop this country.
Play up all those who believe in speaking truth to power.
‘God bless our homeland Ghana
And make our nation great and strong
Bold to defend forever
The cause of freedom and of right
Fill our hearts with true humility
Make us CHEERISH FEARLESS HONESTY….’
……..and cowards always die many times before their death.
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