NMC meets over brutal attacks on three Adom FM staff

               The National Media Commissionis holding an emergency meeting over the brutal attacks on three Multimedia Group journalists staff of National Health Insurance Authority at Ablekuma, yesterday.  Adom FM's Editor, Afia Pokua and two reporters, Kofi Assan and Nana Sefa were physically assaulted by the National Health Insurance Scheme Manager, Israel Kwame Aryeh and other officials at the Ablekuma District in Accra.  Nana Sefa, a reporter with Adom FM, a Multimedia Group unit, had gone there to report on the frustrations and complaints of persons who had queued since 3 am Thursday, to go through biometric registration, but had his mobile phone confiscated by Mr. Aryeh.  Sefa managed to get his Editor, Afia to intervene in the matter. But things took a different turn when she (Afia Pokua) got there in the company of another reporter, Kofi Assan.  According to Kofi Assan, the Scheme Manager released Nana Sefa after he and Afia had intervened.  The journalists walked out of the Manager's office to a hostile crowd, which accused the young reporter of going to hide in the Manager's office, leaving them to their fate.  Attempts by the News Editor, Afia, to explain things to them infuriated Mr. Aryeh who pounced on her and assaulted her badly. She sustained severe bruises on her right thigh with blood oozing from the cuts.  Afia Pokua's bruised right thigh  Assan said he received severe beatings too when he tried to defend his editor.  He said his clothes were torn in the ensuing scuffle.  Afia and Assan have since returned to the Kaneshie Police with their medical forms after receiving medical attention at the hospital.  It is for this reason, that the NMC is meeting Friday to pursue justice for the victims.  The Greater Accra Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afia Tenge also noted that investigations into the incident were still ongoing to establish the facts of the matter.  The NMC Chairman, Kabral Blay-Amihere has however, described the incident and some others, as show of impudence and arrogance against the media in recent times.  Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show Friday, he condemned the barbaric attack on the journalists and assured the NMC would ensure that justice prevails.  Meanwhile, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) said the officers involved in the attacks have been interdicted as part of investigations into the matter.  Also, the Chief Executive of the NHIA, Sylvester Mensah has apologized for the assault on the Adom FM staff.