When the guardians of order attack the guardians of accountability
Recent Cases of Assault on Journalists
When the agencies tasked with ensuring law and order and with protecting citizens begin to attack and abuse the very individuals who have dedicated their lives to upholding truth and accountability through storytelling, then the peace, sustainability, and very fabric of a nation’s democracy come under threat.
The recent wave of assaults on journalists by both citizens and, more disturbingly, security personnel such as police and military officers has been described by many as unpardonable and abhorrent. I say it is utterly detestable, disgusting, and frightening.
A pattern of assaults
Let’s begin with a look at some of the cases of violent attacks on journalists reported so far in 2025.
On Wednesday, July 30, armed military officers attacked JoyNews reporter Carlos Calony, his cameraman, and an eyewitness while the journalist was covering a demolition exercise at Spintex in Accra.Prior to this, multiple other incidents had been recorded.
Withing just one week in February, six assaults on journalists were reported; Four in Kumasi during the election of the Ashanti Region representative on the Council of State, and two more in Walewale. On February 23, another shocking incident occurred in the Breman Adomanya Forest, where journalists Akwasi Agyei Annim (Citi FM), Henry Emil Fynn (Angel TV), and Jacob Adu-Baah (ABC News GH/Rok FM) were attacked while reporting on illegal mining. According to Citi News, the assault happened in the full glare of a police escort.
Moreover, during the Ablekuma North parliamentary re-run election on July 11, A policeman was captured in a viral video assaulting a journalist. Following public outrage, the police announced that the officer involved was interdicted and is expected to face criminal charges.
Mind you, these are just reports from 2025 so far, not to mention other assaults, such as that of Ms. Otchere (Citi TV/FM) in 2023, as well as other incidents in previous years.
Outrage and condemnation
These cases have drawn strong reactions.Yesterday, President John Mahama condemned the assault on JoyNews journalists, calling it “unacceptable” and emphasized that “a free and responsible press is indispensable to our democracy.”
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has also responded with urgency. Its president, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Ghana Police Service to provide updates on all reported incidents, prosecute perpetrators, and implement real measures to protect media personnel or face a nationwide media blackout of police activities. In his words: “This is not a threat, it is a necessary action to defend the dignity and safety of every Ghanaian journalist.”
Speaking on Asempa FM, Mr. Dwumfour warned that journalist safety is under serious threat. “These assaults are not just attacks on individual journalists. They are attacks on democracy,” Mr. Dwumfour emphasized. He noted that 12 attacks have already been recorded this year, matching the average annual count in just the first seven months.
He asked that if “the security personnel we pay with taxpayers’ money, whose uniforms we sew for them to protect us, are the ones attacking us now, Who is going to protect us?” The question is a heavy one.
Ignorance of the law or drunk on power?
These cases raise serious questions about how much respect, if any, these suspected security personnel have for our democracy, especially one of its core foundations, the Constitution.
Is this intentional? Is it pure abuse of power? Or is it a complete disregard for constitutional values?
Most journalists carry media identification. Safety measures are part of media 101. Whether it’s a vest or an ID from a known media house, these officers see it and still go on to harass or attack.
Chapter 12 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution is fully dedicated to the freedom and independence of the media. Article 162(1) says: “Freedom and independence of the media are hereby guaranteed.”
These assaults are violations of that freedom. They don’t just harm the individuals involved; they also send message to every journalist and future journalist that speaking the truth could cost you your safety.
Article 165 goes further, stating that these media rights are in addition to the broader fundamental human rights of all Ghanaians. It says: “For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this chapter shall not be taken to limit the enjoyment of any fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed under Chapter 5 of this Constitution.”
Safeguarding voices of truth and accountability safeguards all
Journalists, who are often nicknamed the ‘fourth arm’ of government, are priceless treasures of every nation, especially Ghana. Their stories, exposés, and platforms reveal truths, drive action, inform, and entertain. These journalists do not need special privilege; what they need is safety and respect, especially while doing their job.
Hopefully, these incidents will also shine a light on other abuses of power. If some security personnel can attack journalists in broad daylight, what happens to ordinary citizens abuses that may never make the news?
By Joyce Kpeglo
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