Celebrated Ghanaian journalist, Kweku Baako Jnr has jumped to the defence of ace
investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas following criticism of his latest exposé
dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy’.
Even before the latest work of Anas was premiered on Monday, November 14, excerpts of the
report in the media forced President Akufo-Addo to dismiss Charles Adu Boahen, the former
Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.
Amid the showing of the exposé, some people have questioned the approach of Anas and his
Tiger Eye PI, claiming that his methodology of entrapment is not the best.
Kweku Baako argued that the “Anas Principle” does not exist or prevail in isolation or in a
vacuum.
He explained that the so-called “entrapment” methodology gets activated after “intel” has
indicated that a negative/criminal practice may be happening in a particular zone and by certain
persons or group of persons.
He indicated that all investigative products of Tiger Eye which have been successfully
prosecuted in court were subjected to strict judicial scrutiny and it is no surprise that he has in
the past received plaudits from all over the world including praise from former US President
Barrack Obama.
According to Kwaku Baako, he is proud of Anas and his Tiger Eye PI for the good work they
continue to do.
“Anas and Tiger Eye have no difficulty with people who critique their work and products.
“In any case, they are not infallible. So criticisms are welcome. But trust me, their work and
investigative products in and out of the Ghanaian jurisdiction have been recognized as quality
and productive. And worthy of emulation.
“Personally, I am very proud of that youngman and his team! I have said this many times in the
last two decades or more..
Read full statement below:
All investigative products of Tiger Eye which have been successfully prosecuted in court were
subjected to strict judicial scrutiny! What more would anybody ask for relative to ethical
standards and legal conduct?
The “Anas Principle” does not exist or prevail in isolation or in a vacuum. First, the so-called
“entrapment” methodology gets activated after “intel” has indicated that a negative/criminal
practice may be happening in a particular zone and by certain persons or group of persons.
For instance, complaints of litigants engaged in litigation in our courts, whispering about
unethical conduct of judges and officers of the judicial service, are basis to trigger testing named
and even unnamed judges and judicial officers to authenticate the veracity or otherwise of those
complaints.
Whispers or allegations by “insiders” in orphanages, schools and children’s homes could trigger
“. It is not always the situation that “targets” are “lured” to take cash as a way
of testing their integrity. In many of Tiger Eye’s ops, the culprits have/had been caught in action
without any enticement or inducements!
At the Tema Port, secret cameras caught some of the anti-state acts in raw fashion without
anybody inducing any custom officer! They didn’t know the “planted cameras” were witnesses to
their anti-state activities!
Admittedly, undercover investigative journalism which has been a controversial branch of
journalism since the 1890s, has not been the “favourite” of many people. That is understandable.
It was not for nothing Barack Obama praised him, won US awards, gone through strict judicial scrutiny — Kweku Baako def…
Indeed, our own GJA Code of Ethics allows the use of subterfuge and the application of covert
methods/means when investigating crimes or matters of public health and security, etc.
Anas and Tiger Eye have no difficulty with people who critique their work and products.
In any case, they are not infallible. So criticisms are welcome. But trust me, their work and
investigative products in and out of the Ghanaian jurisdiction have been recognized as quality
and productive. And worthy of emulation.
It was not for nothing that President Obama had a word of praise for Anas on the floor of
Parliament when he addressed our representatives in the House in 2009! And it is not for nothing
that many reputable international organizations including the US Department of State recognize
the investigative prowess of Anas and his Tiger Eye team.
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