President John Dramani Mahama has strongly condemned the assault on JoyNews journalist Carlos Calony by soldiers during a demolition exercise along the Spintex Road in Accra, stressing that his administration will not tolerate such acts of brutality against journalists or civilians.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the final batch of Deputy Ministers on Thursday, President Mahama described the incident as “utterly unacceptable” and directed the military leadership to launch a thorough investigation into the matter.
He further insisted that the officers involved must face the appropriate disciplinary sanctions once the probe is concluded.
“Security officers who assault journalists or civilians cannot be left off the hook. They must be held accountable through proper sanctions after investigations,” the President stated.
The JoyNews reporter and his cameraman were reportedly attacked by uniformed men while covering the demolition of a warehouse under construction.
President Mahama also announced plans to convene a meeting involving the media, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), and security agencies.
The purpose, he explained, is to reorient security personnel to regard journalists as partners in national development, fostering mutual respect and collaboration.
“We must strengthen the relationship between security agencies and the media. Journalists play a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability, and they must be treated with respect,” the President emphasized.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has commenced investigations into the incident, pledging to ensure that personnel found culpable will face appropriate action.
The GJA has since issued a seven-day ultimatum to GAF to publish the names of the soldiers behind the attack, vowing to take matters into its own hands if they fail.
— Kwame Anum
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