The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has pledged robust protection for journalists who will cover the upcoming Akwatia by-election and beyond.
He condemned the recent assaults on journalists, particularly during the Ablekuma North parliamentary election re-run, and assured decisive action against perpetrators.
He made this remark at a high-level engagement between the leadership of the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Journalists Association at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra yesterday.
The engagement, attended by key police and media leaders, aimed to foster collaboration and ensure journalists’ safety.
The President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, expressed deep concern over recurring attacks, citing incidents during the Ablekuma North rerun where journalists Kwabena Agyekum Banahene, Salomey Martey and Vida Wiafe were assaulted, including an attack by a senior police officer.
“When police inflict injury, we don’t take it lightly,” Dwumfour stated, highlighting additional cases, including the assault on six journalists during the Council of State elections in Kumasi and an attack on Ohemeng Tawiah for reporting on illegal mining (galamsey).
He also referenced a military assault on journalists, with some detained at the National Intelligence Bureau headquarters.
Mr Dwumfour declared that the GJA would use “the pen and the microphone” to fight for journalists’ rights, labelling attackers as enemies of democracy and press freedom.
In the course of his remarks, he called for a minute of silence to honour the late Samuel Nuamah of The Ghanaian Times, marking the tenth anniversary of his death, and other departed journalists.
"It is the constitutional duty of the police to protect us and there is no ambiguity at that," he noted.
IGP's address
The IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, addressing the concerns, apologised for past incidents and vowed that such dastardly acts would not recur under his leadership.
He revealed that the senior officer involved in the Ablekuma North assault has been interdicted, faces criminal charges, and is currently under investigation by the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB), led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP).
"The case docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s office, and a service inquiry is ongoing. Also, eight suspects linked to the Ablekuma North violence have been arrested and are set to appear in court," he stated.
The IGP assured the GJA that 600 police officers trained to manage electoral violence have been deployed to Akwatia to ensure a secure environment for journalists and voters.
He emphasised that the police have met with political party leaders to caution against disruptions and promised transparent coverage.
“Without the media, what happens at Akwatia will be opaque," he stated.
Joint training
Mr Yohuno also announced plans for joint training between the Ghana Police Service and the media to enhance collaboration for the by-election.
The Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission (NMC), George Sarpong, urged the IGP to revive the Police Accountability Programme to ensure transparency in handling cases of brutality against journalists.
He called for a codified framework to clarify the roles of the police and the media during operations, enhancing mutual understanding.
Mr Dwumfour thanked the IGP for his commitment and pledged the GJA’s legal team’s support for police efforts in prosecuting perpetrators.
“We need assurance of police protection to deliver on our mandate within the law,” he stated.
