Stop bias reportage - Chief Olaide M. Jose warns media

The Dome-Kwabenya Yoruba community in Ghana has called on the media to desist from propagating bias reportage which incites Ghanaians against Nigerians in the country.

In a press statement released on Monday, June 21, 2021, the group expressed displeasure about the selective focus on the bad happenings involving Nigerians, leaving out the efforts some reputable businesses are making to contribute to the growth of the Ghanaian economy.

Although they admit there are some bad nuts amongst the many good Nigerians, they ask that the security operatives conduct their investigations diligently and arrest culprits found guilty to serve as a deterrence to others.

The Yoruba community was of the belief that the bias reportage from the media is appalling as they fail to report on the excelling business franchises, companies and marketers who are thriving in the country but continuously report on the negative aspect of Nigerians.

They also noted that the attribution of all criminal activities to Nigerians in Ghana whereas there are nationals of other countries being arrested for other crimes is wrong.

The group also debunked claims that some Nigerians buy the silence of top policemen in the country.

Media Personality on Net2 TV named Nana Kweku alleged that notorious Nigerian criminals bribe the police officers monthly with GHC10,000.

The presenter also claimed that Nigerians in the Dome-Kwabenya constituency parade the area with weapons and disturb the vicinity at night with their luxurious vehicles.

However, the group has called the allegations false as no amount has been paid to the police officers and that building a police station was a gesture of good faith by responsible Nigerian citizens.

The group meanwhile thanked the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, whilst expressing confidence in his administration and reiterating their readiness to partner with the government to grow the economy.

Read the press release below

Good Morning,

Gentlemen of the Press, good morning Ghanaians , good morning my fellow Nigerians in Ghana, good morning Ghana Media Houses.
It gives me a great pleasure with heavy heart to organise and address press and most especially Ghanaian media this morning as a result of allegations leveled against Nigeria Nationals, which has been in the air and was blew beyond proportion by one of the reputable media outfit in our host Country, Ghana.

It is rather unfortunate but inevitable to experience such a biased reportage if at all it consists of empirical facts because Ghana-Nigeria relationship has been of ages. There is a strong and consolidated bilateral block between the two twin brothers in Africa Continent, the two pillars of West Africa (ECOWAS UNION) and Africa Union (AU).

It may not be contested however that a big Nation (society) like Ghana can absolutely exist without social virus even if Ghana is isolated ie without other nationals.

All criminal observations may not be seriously tagged to Nigerians because we are not the only nationals living in this country.

Gentlemen of the press, It is heavily disheartening for somebody to count it as a crime to build a Police station. This gesture is one of thousands socioeconomic benefits Nigerians have deemed it fit to give back to our host country. Nigerians will continue to bless Ghana. No amount of intimidation can stop the good and loving heart of a Nigerian.

This publication is an eye opener which has drawn our attention to these allegations being peddled by sections of the media houses that some Nigerians are into crimes in Ghana. We want to enjoin the said Media Houses to allow the police to do diligent investigation. We do not think it is viable and economically wise for a right thinking Nigerian to pay police 10,000 Cedis every month; for what?

We need to understand that you cannot paint everyone with one brush.
There are many responsible Nigerian businessmen and many Nigerian cooperate entities in Ghana contributing to the growth of the country's economy.

The truth is, we have had isolated pockets of few Nigerians who are tarnishing the image of Nigeria. We may wish to advise our host Country most especially law enforcement agencies to fish out those criminals as being mentioned by Mr. Kweku Annan (Host of the Seat NET 2 TV) and establish a case against them as terance to others for them to know the existence of civil law.

We have however had a case where some other nationals committed crimes, but were all labeled against Nigerians e.g a Nigerian and other west African nationals in Ghana.

Sadly, Nigerians are doing well in trade and investment, but the same Media turn a blind eye against these aspects, but focus only on some few negative sides. How many times had Ghanaian media reported good news/stories about Nigeria banks, insurance companies, oil and gas companies, communication company, churches etc that have provided uncountable employment to many Ghanaians in this country. No single report about goodness of Nigerians to Ghanaians.

We emphatically believe that Nigerians are hardworking, enterprising, productive, resourceful and proactive.

The Chiefs and Community Executives are willing to collaborate with Ghana Government to fish out criminals amongst Nigerians, if any. We would never encourage any act of criminality within the Nigeria Community.

All the silent points raised in the petitions would be thoroughly investigated.
Gentlemen of the press we express an unreserved appreciation to everyone for honoring our short notice to this Press Conference.

To our President and Father of the Nation, His Excellency President Nana Akuffo Addo, we thank you and reiterate our confidence in your administration and readiness to partner with you at all times.

Thank you all.

Signed..
Olaide. M. Jose.
Yoruba Community Head
Dome-Kwabenya.
Ghana.