Akufo-Addo petitioned to withdraw Major Oduro’s nomination

the Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Brogya Genfi has petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to withdraw the nomination of Major Derek Oduro (rtd) as Deputy Minister-Designate for Defence for justifying an assault on a journalist.

Major Derek Oduro (rtd) in an interview on Starr FM justified the brutality meted out to a journalist by some four soldiers during the 60th anniversary celebrations at the Independence Square.

Parts of the petition, dated 27 March 2017, addressed to the president and copied to the Speaker of Parliament, said: “I, Yaw Brogya Genfi, humbly write to petition Your Excellency to consider a withdrawal of the nomination of Honourable Major Derek Oduro (Retired) as the Deputy Minister of Defence.

The Deputy Minister-designate for Defence reacted in an unacceptable manner when a photojournalist was subjected to military brutality on 6th March, 2017 during the 60th anniversary ceremony at the Black Star Square, Accra.

“Your Excellency, according to the journalist, Mr Kendrick Offei Ansah, four soldiers commanded him to follow them to the Osu Castle after he attempted to shoot a video of them assaulting a civilian at the beach located behind the Black Star Square in Accra.”

“At the Osu Castle, the soldiers ordered him to crush his iPhone with a stone to destroy the evidence after which some of the soldiers pounced on him, beating him viciously while the others watched on. The case has been lodged with the Osu Police Station, and the victim holds a medical report on his assault.

“Major Derek Oduro (retired), who is also the Chairman on the Defence Committee of Parliament, has been loud in the media, defending the military brutality on the journalist, saying military officers will continue to instil discipline in “loud-mouthed” journalists.”