The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has denounced a brutal assault on five journalists covering the Council of State Elections in Ghana’s Ashanti Region.
The attack occurred on February 11 at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, where a group of unidentified men targeted the reporters, injuring four of them. Authorities are now facing mounting pressure to deliver justice swiftly.
The affected newsmen—Kifi Adede of Oyerepa Radio and Television, Henry Attah Kofei of Osiekrom Dawuro Newspaper, Charles Awuah Mensah of Lawson Television, Gabriel Kwasi Oppong of Angel Broadcasting Network, and Gideon Nana Peprah of Ghana Web—were documenting the electoral proceedings when the violence erupted.
According to Gideon Nana Peprah, seven men stormed the venue, throwing the scene into chaos by disrupting the ballot process and assaulting both journalists and election officials.
“They wrecked everything—ballots, prepared papers, tally sheets. They accused me of recording videos and demanded I delete them. Before I could respond, they grabbed my phone, slapped me, and hit me in the mouth with a metal object,” he disclosed.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger condemned the surge in violence against Ghanaian media people and urged the government to act decisively.
“Those responsible for these crimes must face thorough investigations and prosecution. No democratic government can justify inaction while attacks on defenseless journalists continue unchecked. Impunity is not an option,” he said.
Attacks on journalists
In response to this and other incidents, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, president of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), held a press conference on February 18, calling on President John Mahama to address the escalating violence against journalists.
Dwumfour noted that within a week, six reporters had been attacked across Ghana, including two incidents in Walewale, Northeast Region.
He hinted that the assailants might be linked to the ruling party.
The GJA also expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation into the 2019 murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale.
Dwumfour warned that if significant advancements are not made by the end of March 2025, the GJA will escalate the matter to the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, citing a deepening distrust in the police’s handling of the case.
The Federation, in collaboration with the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), its regional arm, have vowed to stand with the GJA in seeking justice for Ahmed Suale and the journalists assaulted during the recent election coverage.
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24.com