Soccer News of Wednesday, 24 July 2002

Source: PeaceFM

Policemen Save Journalist From Mob Attack

Policemen on duty at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday saved Mr. Patrick Agyemang, a programmes presenter with Radio Link FM Station in Kumasi from mob action before the Hearts of Oak - Asante Kotoko premier league match.

Mr. Agyemang, who was sandwiched by some Hearts supporters when the police intervened, was accused of entering the stadium without a pass or a ticket. Sensing that the journalist was in danger, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mark Andoh Owusu, Commander of the Armoured Squadron who was one of the senior officers on duty mobilised about eight policemen to free him from the mob before any nasty incident could occur.

A.S.P. Owusu and his men accompanied the journalist to the gate where he purchased a 40,000 ticket before he was allowed in. The journalist later told reporters that though he was dully accredited at the Hearts secretariat, his Press Card, was snatched from him by someone he could not identify, leaving him without any evidence to convince those who accosted him that he was a genuine professional who had come to cover the match.

A member of the vigilante group who only gave his name as Malik said they suspected Mr. Agyemang of carrying Kotoko's juju or ‘black magic’ to the stadium to facilitate their victory. He said since the man could not identify himself as a journalist he had to buy a ticket because they also buy tickets to watch matches when they travel to Kumasi.

Chief Superintendent Samuel Wudor who was in charge of security at the stadium said they achieved their objective as no major incident occurred before, during and after the match.