The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces, threatening a nationwide media blackout on police-related activities unless swift punitive action is taken against personnel who assaulted journalists.
The demand comes after two separate incidents, including the July 17 Ablekuma North by-election and a July 30 demolition exercise at Spintex in Accra, left journalists physically harmed.
At a press conference, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour condemned what he described as the alarming recurrence of unprovoked attacks on media professionals by state security forces.
He noted that the “violent incidents were not only a breach of journalists’ rights but also a direct assault on Ghana’s democratic principles and press freedom.”
On July 17, during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, a reporter from GHOne TV was assaulted in the line of duty.
Less than two weeks later, JoyNews reporter Carlos Calony, his cameraman, and an eyewitness were reportedly attacked by armed military personnel during a demolition exercise at a property believed to belong to businessman Daniel McKorley, popularly known as McDan.
Calony revealed that even after identifying themselves as journalists, he and his team were physically assaulted, and he was forcefully detained.
According to the GJA, these are not isolated cases. Over ten incidents involving physical violence against journalists have been recorded in recent months. Dwumfour said the pattern indicates a systemic disregard for media freedoms among security agencies and must be urgently addressed.
“If the Ghana Police Service fails to act decisively within the next 7 days, the GJA, in consultation with key stakeholders, will announce a nationwide media blackout on all police activities, instruct our members to withhold coverage of police events and editorial engagements with the police.
“This is not a threat, it’s a necessary action to defend the integrity and safety of every Ghanaian journalist”
Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, GJA President
Military Involvement
Dwumfour did not spare the Ghana Armed Forces either. Addressing the Chief of Army Staff directly, he warned that failure to sanction the soldiers involved in the Spintex incident would result in public embarrassment for the military establishment.
“The military should understand that failure on their part to expose and sanction the perpetrators of this crime will have damning consequences”
Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, GJA President
He added a warning that the GJA has done its work and is prepared to embarrass the army if they fail to deal with the guilty men. “We will come out boldly and expose your men,” he added.
JoyNews’ Carlos Calony gave a chilling account of the incident, stating that he was attacked by a soldier from behind just as he was preparing to go live. Despite making it clear that they were members of the press, their equipment was reportedly seized, and they were subjected to intimidation.
The Ghana Armed Forces has acknowledged the incident and confirmed an internal investigation into what it described as the “inappropriate conduct” of its personnel.
The GJA insisted that mere investigations without consequences will no longer be tolerated. It demanded immediate disciplinary action against all implicated officers to deter future occurrences.
The association also called on President John Dramani Mahama’s government to intervene and restore confidence in state institutions’ ability to protect press freedom.
The GJA maintained that the continued abuse of journalists posed a threat to public accountability and Ghana’s democratic credentials. With the media blackout threat looming, the association hopes its actions will force a culture shift within the ranks of Ghana’s security services.
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