Ghanaian Journalists Assaulted During Election Coverage Spark National and International Outcry

July 24, 2025 – Ghana – 

Three journalists covering the parliamentary by-election rerun in Ablekuma North, Ghana, were physically attacked in separate incidents involving both a police officer and unidentified individuals. The incidents have drawn sharp criticism from press freedom organizations and media advocacy groups.

Kwabena Agyekum Banahene, a reporter for GHOne TV, was slapped and shoved by a uniformed police officer at the Church of Pentecost polling station while attempting to access the inner perimeter for reporting. He sustained facial injuries and was hospitalized. The Ghana Police Service responded by suspending the officer and referring the case to the Police Professional Standards Bureau for investigation.

At a nearby polling center, Sally Martey of Joy News was assaulted from behind by a partially masked man amid chaos and pushing near the station. Her organization recorded the assault on video. Meanwhile, Vida Wiafe of Amansan TV (ATV) was pepper-sprayed at the St. Peter’s polling station, causing her to lose consciousness and receive urgent medical attention.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) strongly condemned the assaults, warning that these incidents reflect an increasingly hostile environment for media workers in Ghana. CPJ called on authorities to thoroughly investigate the attacks and ensure those responsible are held accountable. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) also voiced concern, stressing that Ghana’s 1992 Constitution guarantees press freedom, and incidents like these undermine the country’s democratic integrity.

The Progressive Alliance of Ghana (PAG) added its voice, condemning the violence not just against journalists but also political actors during the rerun. They urged all stakeholders to uphold democratic values and ensure peaceful electoral processes in future contests.

These attacks follow a troubling trend of election-related violence against journalists in Ghana, including a 2020 incident where journalist Pius Kwanin Asiedu was shot during coverage. Advocacy groups now demand that security agencies, the Electoral Commission, and political parties prioritize the safety of journalists to prevent further deterioration of press freedom in the country. Without accountability, they warn, such assaults may become normalized during critical democratic events.

Reference – 

https://allafrica.com/stories/202507250029.html

Ghanaian police, masked man attack journalists covering local election