Government condemns attacks on journalists by security personnel

The Government has condemned the brutal attacks on journalists by some security personnel at the 56th anniversary parade at the Independence Square in Accra.

It has therefore ordered the Ministry of Defence to, as a matter of urgency, conduct investigations into the issue and bring the culprits to book and also ensure that such incidents never occur again.

The Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mr Mahama Ayariga, who had earlier personally called at the offices of the Daily Graphic to visit the affected victims, said the government was not comfortable with such occurrences.

Last Wednesday, at the Independence Square, two journalists accredited to cover the country’s 56th Independence anniversary were manhandled by some security personnel.

Reports say Ghanaian Times photographer, Mr Vincent Dzatse, who is also the presidential photographer, received slaps from the security men, also a Daily Graphic photographer,  Nii Martey Botwe, was subjected to attack when President Mahama was exchanging pleasantries with chiefs and leaders of political parties at the parade ground.
Some accredited senior journalists who were covering proceedings from the Independence Arch side of the square were also insulted by some of the military personnel on guard duties.

In a swift reaction to the issue the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), said it was “appalled” by the development.

The President of the umbrella body of media practitioners in the country, Mr Ransford Tetteh, said Ghana has “advanced in democracy and media freedom” and that such attacks on journalists belonged to history.

He was of the strong opinion that with the nation chalking up 56 years of independence, people should appreciate the crucial role of media practitioners in the development process, and that not even the gravest of misunderstanding between the media and military men should result in such attacks.

He called on the Military Command and the Ministry of Defence to ensure that the perpetrators of such unwarranted acts were brought to book.

Daily Graphic