President John Mahama has strongly condemned the assault against JoyNews journalist Carlos Calony and a civilian by soldiers during a demolition exercise at Spintex.
President Mahama further emphasised that as a card‑bearing member of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), he will not oversee or tolerate any attacks on journalists.
Speaking during the swearing‑in ceremony for the final batch of deputy ministers, he declared:
“Allow me to condemn in the strongest terms the recent incident involving the manhandling of some journalists by our security personnel. Such conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I have instructed that the incident be thoroughly investigated and that the officers involved be sanctioned accordingly.”
Highlighting his stake in media protection, he added: “As a card‑bearing member of the Ghana Journalists Association, I will not preside over a government that abuses or intimidates journalists in the lawful exercise of their duty. A free and responsible press is indispensable to our democracy, and we must all work to protect the media.”
To foster better collaboration between journalists and security agencies, President Mahama announced that “I will soon convene a meeting between the heads of the security services and the leadership of the GJA to plan a programme to orient our troops to recognise the media not as enemies but as partners in development.”
Background
Armed military officers on Wednesday, July 30, attacked JoyNews reporter Carlos Carlony, his cameraman and an eyewitness while the journalist was covering a demolition exercise at Spintex in Accra.
The soldiers further damaged the equipment of the journalist, leaving his camera in ruins and the victims with injuries.
Mr Carlony was later whisked away in a military vehicle, and his phones were seized as he was subjected to intense interrogation at Blue Gate, a facility by National Security carries out its operations.
Read also: JoyNews journalist Carlos Carlony recounts Military assault at McDan warehouse demolition site
He was only released after the intervention by the Minister for the Interior, with the government condemning the action of the soldiers.
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