Place visa ban on Kennedy Agyapong - ASEPA asks USA

The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), wants the government of the United States of America to impose a visa ban on the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.

According a statement issued on Thursday, July 15, 2021 by the organisation, Mr Agyapong "has continuously put the lives of innocent journalists in Ghana at risk with one casualty already recorded and several others falling victims to his constant abuse and threat of harm against journalists."

The Executive Director of ASEPA, Thompson Mensah, who signed the statement, said "the United States Government has always taken key interest in the safety of journalists across the world and has always shown strict opposition and in some instances have imposed sanctions on Governments and individuals who have directly or indirectly been involved in attacks or threats against journalists across the world."

He cited the murder of Saudi Arabian journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, as one instance where the United States Government has acted against persons who murder or threaten journalists.

"One of such instances is the actions the US Government took in the murder of Saudi Arabian journalist, Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. The US Government conducted an investigation and have recently under the Biden-Harris administration issued a new visa restriction policy pursuant to Section 212 (a) (3) (c) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act dubbed the "Khashoggi ban" which allows the US Department of State to impose visa restrictions on individuals or members foreign governments believed to be directly involved in the suppress, harassment, surveillance, threatening or causing harm to journalists."

Click to download a full copy of the petition (pdf)

Below is the statement