Africa-Press – Ghana. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called on the Ghana Police Service to press criminal charges against the police officer who reportedly attacked a journalist during the Ablekuma North election rerun and prosecute him.
The Association said the interdiction of the officer was not enough, and that they needed to press criminal charges against him for his actions.
Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, the President of the GJA, made the call when he addressed journalists on the incident at the Press Centre, in Accra, on Friday.
“We demand an immediate, thorough, and transparent criminal investigation into this matter, since it was a case of assault. Assault is a second-degree felony,” he said.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and engage with relevant stakeholders to prevent future occurrences of this abhorrent practise, especially in light of the renewed assurances from government for a free press.”
“We call on the Inspector General of Police to act and ensure that swift and decisive disciplinary action is taken to serve as deterrent to others.”
Mr Dwumfour said the Association was giving the Police Service up to Monday, July 13, to make public the prosecutorial actions it had taken against the officer.
He said the incident was particularly troubling as it involved a Divisional Commander of the Service entrusted with upholding law and order and to protect all citizens.
“The GJA views this incident with the utmost gravity and is appalled that officers in uniform, who are expected to know better and protect civilians and journalists against attack, are the ones currently attacking journalists,” he added.
Journalists, he said, played an indispensable role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and public access to information, especially during critical electoral processes and any attempt to intimidate, harass, or physically harm them in their line of duty was an affront to democratic principles and should be condemned by all.
Mr Kwabena Agyekum Banahene, a journalist with the EIB Network, was assaulted by a police officer in line of duty during the elections rerun at the Ablekuma North Constituency.
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