Mahama condemns assault on JoyNews reporter, vows action

President John Dramani Mahama has condemned the recent assault on JoyNews journalist Carlos Calony by armed military personnel during a demolition exercise at Spintex in Accra on Wednesday, July 30.

Calony, along with his cameraman and an eyewitness, was attacked while covering the operation. Their equipment was seized, and the journalist was forcibly taken to “Blue Gate,” a National Security facility, where he was interrogated after his phones were confiscated.

He was later released following the intervention of the Minister for the Interior.

Government officials have since described the actions of the soldiers as unacceptable.

Addressing the swearing-in of newly appointed deputy ministers on Thursday, July 31, President Mahama expressed outrage over the incident and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom.

“Allow me to condemn in the strongest terms the assault in the recent incident involving the manhandling of some journalists by our security personnel. Such conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he stated.

“I have instructed that the incident be investigated, and the officers involved be sanctioned accordingly. As a card-bearing member of the GJA, I will not preside over a government that abuses or intimidates journalists in the lawful exercise of their duties.”

President Mahama further revealed plans to meet with security service heads and the leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to foster stronger cooperation between the media and security forces.

“I will soon convene a meeting with the heads of security services and leadership of GJA to plan a programme to orient our troops to recognise the media not as enemies but partners in development,” he said.

Meanwhile, the GJA has also condemned the attack and issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Ghana Police Service to take decisive action. Failure to do so, the Association warned, would trigger a nationwide media blackout on police activities.

Source: Citinewsroom