The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called on the Military High Command to investigate the assault of two journalists by military personnel in Walewale.
Journalists Alhassan Dokurugu of Asaase Radio and Tahiru Ibrahim of Zaa Multimedia were attacked while covering an incident involving the burning of a bus at Nalerigu Junction.
Addressing the press in Accra on Tuesday, February 18, GJA President Kwabena Dwumfour criticized the Ghana Police Service for failing to intervene, despite witnessing the assault.
He emphasized that the police, by law, are mandated to protect journalists and arrest perpetrators.
He further urged the Ghana Police Service to take swift action to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
“We call on the Ghana Police Service to bring the perpetrators to face justice. We also call on the Military High Command to investigate the incident and sanction the wayward military personnel.
“The assault of the two journalists at Walewale and other incidents of lawlessness and impunity across the country fortify our belief that Ghana is heading to a state of anarchy and people of good conscience must resist and halt that trend.”
He asked why the soldiers requested the journalists produce ID cards, stating, “We wish to make it clear that inasmuch as wearing of the branded jacket may be desirable for journalists in their fieldwork, even for their safety and security, not doing so does not take away their real and true identity; and we daresay, it does not in any way whatsoever warrant assault.”
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