The Central Regional executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest and prosecute the Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Richard Kofi Asiedu, and the Municipal Chief Executive for Awutu Senya East Municipality, Seth Serwonoo Banini, over the alleged attack on Obaatanpa Radio.

Addressing a press conference, the NPP's Central Regional Deputy Secretary, Charles Odoom, condemned the alleged incident and urged the IGP to immediately arrest and prosecute the two officials, arguing that doing so would serve as a deterrent against attacks on journalists and media organisations.

He also appealed to traditional leaders and political actors in the region to exercise restraint and help prevent any escalation of tensions that could result in clashes.

The NPP's demand follows allegations by Obaatanpa Radio that a group of individuals stormed its premises after discussions on its morning programme concerning internal matters within the NDC in the Awutu Senya East Constituency.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the station alleged that Seth Serwonoo Banini, Dr. Richard Kofi Asiedu and several others arrived at its premises shortly after the broadcast. Management claimed the station's Morning Show Host and Producer were verbally and physically assaulted, while the group allegedly entered the studios during a live programme, switched off transmission equipment, ordered staff to leave the premises and locked up the station, temporarily taking it off air.

The station described the incident as an attack on press freedom and the safety of media practitioners. It said it had filed a formal complaint with the Central East Regional Police Command, commended the police for their swift response and announced plans to release CCTV footage to support ongoing investigations.

The incident has also drawn condemnation from the Central Region Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association, which described the alleged attack as an "unacceptable assault on press freedom" and called on the Ghana Police Service to conduct a swift, impartial and transparent investigation.

In a statement signed by the Association's Regional Chairman, Kingsley Nana Boadu, the GJA urged police to prosecute anyone found culpable, regardless of political affiliation or position. It also called on the leadership of the NDC to publicly condemn the incident, apologise to the victims, Obaatanpa Radio and the media fraternity, and take disciplinary action against any party officials found responsible if the allegations are substantiated.

The Association stressed that no political party, public official or individual has the right to intimidate journalists or interfere with the lawful operations of a media organisation because of disagreement with its editorial content. It noted that Article 162 of the 1992 Constitution guarantees media freedom and editorial independence, adding that grievances against media content should be pursued through lawful channels, including the National Media Commission, the GJA or the courts, rather than through violence or intimidation.

The GJA further declared its solidarity with the management and staff of Obaatanpa Radio, insisting that an attack on one journalist is an attack on the entire media fraternity and the public's constitutional right to information.