President John Dramani Mahama has issued a strong condemnation of the recent assault on journalists by security personnel during the McDan Warehouse demolition operation led by National Security.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the final four Deputy Ministers of State, President Mahama denounced the incident as “unacceptable” and pledged immediate action to uphold press freedom and accountability.
“Before I conclude, allow me to condemn in the strongest tense the recent incident involving the manhandling of some journalists by our security personnel. Such conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
President John Dramani Mahama
The President revealed that he has already directed a full investigation into the events that unfolded during the demolition exercise, which drew significant public outrage after journalists covering the scene were allegedly assaulted by military officers.
“I’ve instructed that the incident be thoroughly investigated and that the officers involved be sanctioned accordingly,” President Mahama said, signaling a decisive response from the highest office of the land.
In a rare but pointed personal reflection, the President also reminded the nation of his longstanding affiliation with the press, drawing a clear line between the principles of his administration and the actions of rogue elements within the security services.
“As a card-bearing member of the Ghana Journalists Association, I will not preside over a government that abuses or intimidates journalists in the lawful exercise of their duty.”
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama stressed the essential role of a free press in Ghana’s democratic development, noting that journalists must be seen not as adversaries but as allies in national progress. “A free and responsible press is indispensable to our democracy, and we must all work to protect the media,” he said.
High-Level Dialogue
In light of the troubling development, President Mahama announced plans to hold a high-level dialogue between the country’s top security chiefs and the leadership of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA).
The meeting, he explained, would aim to reorient security personnel on the importance of respecting media freedoms and working in collaboration with the press rather than antagonizing them.
His remarks come at a time when Ghana’s press freedom rankings have been under scrutiny, with growing concerns from media watchdogs and civil society groups over rising cases of abuse against journalists.
While Ghana has long been hailed as a beacon of press freedom in Africa, incidents involving violence against media practitioners have increasingly drawn international criticism and domestic outrage.
The McDan Warehouse incident, which took place under the supervision of National Security operatives, sparked a renewed debate over the accountability of security agencies and the rights of the press.
Videos and eyewitness accounts from the scene suggested excessive use of force, with journalists claiming they were assaulted despite identifying themselves as members of the media.
President Mahama’s intervention is likely to offer some reassurance to journalists and press freedom advocates who have called for stronger leadership and protection for media workers in the country.
His swift directive for an investigation and assurance of sanctions signals a departure from what critics have described as a growing culture of impunity in previous matters.
In reaffirming his government’s commitment to protecting media freedoms, President Mahama appears keen to restore public confidence in Ghana’s democratic institutions.
His response stands in contrast to previous episodes where similar incidents went without conclusive investigations or accountability.
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