The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Ghana Police Service to take decisive action against officers and civilians involved in recent assaults on journalists, warning of a nationwide boycott of police-related activities if the Service fails to comply.
Speaking at a press conference, GJA President Albert Dwumfuor demanded a public report on the police officer who allegedly assaulted GHOne TV reporter Kwabena Agyekum Banahene during the Ablekuma North rerun.
The officer was interdicted following the incident on July 11, 2025.
Subsequently, the Accra Regional Police Command confirmed in a July 17 statement that the officer had been formally charged with assault. The Command further stated that it had obtained statements from complainants and witnesses to aid the ongoing investigations.
However, Mr. Dwumfuor stressed that both the officer and any civilians implicated in the attack must face immediate disciplinary action.
“We cannot continue to accept a culture of impunity against journalists. If, after seven days, we do not see concrete action, we will boycott all police-related activities and declare the Service as enemies of press freedom,” he cautioned.
He also expressed concern over the rising number of attacks on journalists in Ghana.
“Ghana typically records around 12 attacks annually, but in just the first seven months of 2025, we’ve already hit that number. This trend is alarming and unacceptable. Journalists are key pillars of democracy, and any attack on them is an attack on our collective freedom,” Mr. Dwumfuor added.