Member of Parliament for Effia, Hon. Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, has accused Ghanaian journalists of compromising their integrity and remaining silent on the surge in violent attacks against members of the press under the current administration.
According to the MP, the silence is due to media personnel benefiting directly from political appointments handed out by President John Dramani Mahama’s government.
Hon. Boamah-Nyarko was visibly outraged as he questioned the media’s muted response to multiple reported incidents of abuse targeting journalists.
He pointed to at least thirteen recorded assaults in just seven months, expressing deep concern over what he views as a disturbing pattern of intimidation and neglect by the government.
“I am really surprised about the journalists, behaving this way, as if nothing is happening,” Boamah-Nyarko said during an interaction with the media.
“This is because journalists are being appointed. They are being given political appointments. So they have become beneficiaries of the government, and that is why they are silent on their people”
Hon. Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, MP for Effia
The Effia MP argued that the government, led by President Mahama, has deliberately co-opted the media to mute criticism and shield itself from accountability. He claimed the administration’s sophisticated understanding of media influence has enabled it to weaken watchdog institutions.
“If you have a smart government like Mahama, who has been President before and understands how media support helps push the government agenda, and you see the media being bought, then you must be worried”
Hon. Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, MP for Effia
Renewed Outrage
Boamah-Nyarko’s criticisms followed a recent case involving a journalist allegedly assaulted by soldiers and detained by National Security operatives.
The said journalist had been covering a demolition operation at a warehouse reportedly owned by businessman Daniel McKorley, also known as McDan. The warehouse was being pulled down under circumstances that remain controversial.
According to him, the soldiers questioned why he and his crew were filming the activity. Despite clearly identifying themselves as media professionals, one of the officers allegedly struck him from behind just before he was scheduled to go live on air.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has condemned the attack. Its president, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, described the incident as “unprovoked, unjustified and unacceptable.” The GJA is demanding the immediate arrest and interdiction of all operatives involved and has called on the government to ensure justice is served.
Hon. Boamah-Nyarko noted that this is not an isolated incident but part of a growing trend.
“This subject matter is very important, particularly taking into consideration the number of months this government has been in power and the number of assaults that have been recorded.
“It is becoming far too many and improper. It sends a very bad signal in terms of how the government is behaving and responding to attacks on people, especially journalists”
Hon. Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, MP for Effia
The MP cited print media reports indicating that thirteen assault cases have been documented in the past seven months alone. “My last check shows this is the highest we’ve ever recorded within such a short period. This is very worrying,” he said.
He further warned against the dangers of inaction, asking, “are we waiting for another journalist to be killed before we act?”
Official Reaction
In the face of mounting criticism, National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has pledged that swift disciplinary measures will be taken within 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed it is undertaking an internal investigation into what it described as “inappropriate conduct” by its officers, acting on a directive from the Presidency.
Hon. Boamah-Nyarko continued to stress the link between media compromise and government failures, stating, “The media is being bought – and has allowed itself to be bought.” He urged journalists to reclaim their role as defenders of truth and democratic accountability.
The Ministry of Information has yet to release an official statement regarding the broader issue of media safety under the current administration.
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