Member of Parliament for Wa Central, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo has advised Ibrahim Irbard apologize over his comments against Manasseh Azure Awuni.
The Executive Director of Irbard Security Consults called for the arrest of the head of Joy News Investigative desk following his documentary on a “secret vigilante group” affiliated to the governing NPP.
Irbard Ibrahim claimed Manasseh is guilty of treason for allegedly causing fear and panic with his undercover work on the operations of De-Eye Group from the Christianborg Castle.
The security expert also said, the investigative journalist’s report was an attempt to destroy the reputation of Ghana and further drive foreign investors away from the country.
“The State should summon this guy (Manasseh Azure Awunii) and his collaborators for questioning. It is treasonous to destroy the reputation of the State bringing it’s integrity to question locally and internationally. Freedom of expression doesn’t mean the State should be taken for granted,” Irbard stated.
But Mr. Pelpuo in response said Manasseh Azure Awuni did no wrong by exposing De-Eye Group.
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a citizen going to the castle or any military installation to expose a wrong doing,” the former Minister said.
He explained that “If it were an exposure of state secret meant to protect the interest of the state, that would have been a different matter.”
Dr. Pelpuo went on to hail the journalist for risking his life to expose wrong doings in the country.
He, therefore, urged Irbard to withdraw his statements and apologize to Manasseh and Ghanaians.
Read Dr. Pelpuo’s statement here
Hon. Rashid Pelpuo
My reply to Irbard Ibrahim who I like.
What urges you into taking such highly patronizing and villainous position ?
Irbad are you really serious with what you said about the highly hailed Manasseh exposé? Why should an exposure of wrong doing anywhere in the US including inside the White house by a citizen be a criminal offense? I saw lots of angry protest about these remarks on social media, some I tried to parry off but I really didn’t understand until I read your comments on your Facebook wall. I just hope you’re not cloned.
I think I should advise you to ground issues like these on law, both domestic and international. But just take note. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a citizen going to the castle or any any military installation to expose a wrong doing. If it were an exposure of state secret meant to protect the interest of the state, that would have been a different matter. The training camp was or is made up of private individuals stealing state space and state resources under the full glare of state officials, brought under sunlight by Manasseh Azure Awuni, an ace journalist risking his all.
Please I think you should withdraw those statements if actually they’re yours and apologize to Manasseh and to the people of Ghana.. Manasseh sacrificed for all of us. He demonstrated true love of peace and ultimate love of this country. It will go a long way to prevent a retaliatery action likely to provoke a wide spread conflict.
If you love this country you would hail Manasseh Azure as a hero of no mean achievement in nation building.