The government has strongly condemned the attempted arrest of a JoyNews reporter and the physical assault of an eyewitness by a soldier at a demolition site.
It describes the incident as “utterly unacceptable” and inconsistent with the democratic values upheld by the John Mahama administration.
In a statement issued by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications and Spokesperson to the President, the government emphasized that such actions have no place in the country’s democratic society.
“Government condemns the attempted arrest of a JoyNews reporter and the assault of an eyewitness by a soldier at a demolition site. Such actions are utterly unacceptable to the John Mahama administration and have no place in our democratic society.”
The statement further conveyed President Mahama’s unwavering commitment to media freedom and journalist safety, underscoring the vital role of the press in Ghana’s democracy.
“I am directed by President John Dramani Mahama to unequivocally reaffirm his unwavering commitment to the freedom and safety of journalists. A free and unfettered press is a cornerstone of our democracy, essential for accountability, transparency, and informed public discourse,” Parts of the statement said.
Reiterating its broader obligation to protect all citizens, government assured the public of swift and appropriate punitive measures against the culprit.
“Government also reiterates our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all Ghanaian citizens, whose rights must always be protected.”
To this end, the President has instructed the Minister for Defence and the National Security Coordinator to conduct a full investigation into the incident.
“Appropriate disciplinary and punitive measures must be applied without delay to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences,” the statement added.
