Accra, Feb. 13, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Tuesday expressed shock at the murder of the Ashanti Region Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

In a statement released in Accra by Mr Koku Anyidoho, Deputy in-charge, Media Relations of the Office of Prof. Atta Mills, the NDC candidate said he returned from a private visit to South Africa on Sunday night to the very sad news that Mr Ennin had been murdered in cold blood.

"It is very unfortunate the way all manner of criminals seem to be on the loose and how this time around, it is a seasoned journalist who has had his life cut short and my heart goes out to the nuclear and extended family of the deceased as well as the GJA for losing one of theirs," Prof. Mills said.

He commended the police for the swiftness with which they were putting in place concrete measures to apprehend the people who committed the heinous crime and expressed the hope that it would not be long before they were arrested.

"As shocking as the death of Mr Ennin is, I sincerely hope that his death will not cow any journalist into submission as the vital role that they have played, are playing, and continue to play in the forward march of our dear country cannot be overemphasized."

Unknown gunmen shot and killed Mr Ennin on Friday night at a popular spot at Pankrono Estate in Kumasi.

Mr Ennin, News Editor of the Ash FM in Kumasi, was relaxing with some staff and friends of the radio station when he was shot. According to eyewitnesses the assailants, who were in an unregistered white saloon car, entered the spot and without any provocation shot the deceased in the stomach after firing indiscriminately to frighten customers.

The assailants then entered their vehicle and drove away. Mr Ennin was taken to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where he died.

He was the host of the "Point of Order", a political magazine programme of the station that is aired on Saturday mornings. He was also a regular panel member of the station's Morning Show programme dubbed "Ash Ade Akyeabia".

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has offered a 10 million-cedi reward to anyone or group of persons who would provide information leading to the arrest of the murderers of Mr Ennin. The Association has requested all media houses to fly red flags at half-mast for four days starting on Tuesday, February 13 in memory of Mr Ennin.