Sports journalists who were transported from Accra and other regions to attend the manifesto launch of GFA Presidential aspirant George Afriyie in Sunyani left the event in massive disappointment after they were given ₵50 as their ‘soli’ despite being starved.
The journalists, mostly from Accra and Kumasi left the Eusbett Hotel auditorium in Sunyani with curved faces after their expectations were beaten down by the campaign team of George Afriyie.
Following the provision of two 45-seater buses from Accra and Kumasi to Sunyani, the expectations of the journalists shot up like ocean waves towards receiving fat envelopes after the event but were saddened with the ₵50 handed them.
While some unfortunately were given nothing at all after the event, those from Accra, however, were rated a little higher over their Kumasi counterparts as they received ₵100.
Not only were the journalists displeased with the peanuts given them, some were starved from morning until 4pm after the program before being handed snacks.
The gargantuan demonstration of populism and showmanship that characterised the event intersected with the poor treatment of journalist who risked traveling all the way from Accra and Kumasi to cover the event.
A journalist with an Accra-based radio station who spoke on anonymity said: “I feel hugely disrespected with this treatment. Honestly, it feels better if we are given nothing than to trek all the way from Accra through to Kumasi to Sunyani and be slapped in the faces like this.”
Another in Kumasi who did not get anything at all said: “For me, I feel better not getting anything than to be given ₵50 because I came from Kumasi. It’s good they provided us with buses to come and cover the event but it’s not by force for them to give us anything. But to give us ₵50 is too disrespectful,” he noted.
Isaac Koomson, a member of the Campaign Team of George Afriyie has, however, apologised to the media for the poor treatment admitting the numbers were too much for them.
“Because people [including Journalists] love George Afriyie, they came in their numbers. Yesterday, if you were in Sunyani, you would have attested to the fact.
“Having journalists from Kumasi, Accra, Sunyani and the likes, these things were going to happen.
“All we can say is to render an unqualified apology to all journalists. We are still meeting the media and we will correct all these hitches,” he pleaded.
George Afriyie unveiled his manifesto dubbed ‘The Restoration’ as he made his plans for the GFA Presidential position public.
The GFA Elective Congress will be held on 24th and 25th October to elect a successor of Kwesi Nyantakyi and new Executive Council members.
