It has therefore ordered the Ministry of Defence to, as a matter of urgency, conduct investigations into the issue and bring the culprits to book and also ensure that such incidents never occur again.

The Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mr Mahama Ayariga, who had earlier personally called at the offices of the Daily Graphic to visit the affected victims, said the government was not comfortable with such occurrences.

Last Wednesday, at the Independence Square, two journalists accredited to cover the country’s 56th Independence anniversary were manhandled by some security personnel.

A  Ghanaian Times photographer, Mr Vincent Dzatse, who is also the presidential photographer, received slaps from the security men, while the male organ  of a Daily Graphic photographer,  Nii Martey Botwe, was subjected to electric shock for attempting to take shots of the President when he was exchanging pleasantries with chiefs and leaders of political parties at the parade ground.

Aside the slaps Mr Dzatse was also dragged and pushed around by some security men.

Some accredited senior journalists who were covering proceedings from the Independence Arch side of the square were also insulted by some of the military personnel on guard duties.

In a swift reaction to the issue the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), said it was “appalled” by the development.

The President of the umbrella body of media practitioners in the country, Mr Ransford Tetteh, told the Daily Graphic that Ghana had “advanced in democracy and media freedom” and that such attacks on journalists belonged to history.

He was of the strong opinion that with the nation chalking up 56 years of independence, people should appreciate the crucial role of media practitioners in the development process, and that not even the gravest of misunderstanding between the media and military men should result in such attacks.

He called on the Military Command and the Ministry of Defence to ensure that the perpetrators of such unwarranted acts were brought to book.

Mr Tetteh who is also the Editor of the Daily Graphic assured the military high command, the Ministry of Information and Media Relations and Ministry of Defence for a collaboration to ensure that military men and officers were educated to appreciate the cardinal role of the media, adding that “we need partnership in sectors of society to promote national development”. 

Story by Donald Ato Dapatem

Writer’s E-mail: donald.dapatem@graphic.com.gh