By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, July 31, GNA – The United Press for Development Network (UPDN) has expressed strong condemnation over the alleged assault and detention of JoyNews journalist Carlos Calony and his cameraman, Jonathan Mensah Quaye, by persons in military uniform during a demolition exercise at Spintex Road in Accra.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, was captured live on national television and has since drawn sharp criticism from media rights groups and members of the public.
In a press statement issued and signed by Reverend Kofi Asante Mensah, President of UPDN and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, described the attack as “barbaric and unacceptable,” calling it a grave assault on press freedom, human rights, and Ghana’s democratic credentials.
“Ghana is not under military rule. We are a constitutional democracy governed by the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press and expression,” the statement read.
It said the actions of the operatives, believed to be affiliated with National Security and the Ghana Armed Forces, were in clear violation of Article 21(1)(a) of the Constitution, describing it as a “shameful throwback to the dark days of authoritarianism.”
The UPDN further stated that the incident was not an isolated case, but part of a growing trend of intimidation and violence against journalists in the country.
It emphasized, “The use of brute force to silence journalists has no place in modern Ghana,” adding that journalists are not enemies of the state but rather partners in national development who play a constitutionally mandated role in holding power to account.
UPDN therefore demanded a full, independent, and transparent investigation into the incident, as well as the immediate arrest and prosecution of the individuals involved.
It further called on leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces, the National Security, and the Ministry of Defence to publicly explain the deployment of military personnel against unarmed journalists and civilians.
UPDN further requested a formal apology and compensation to the affected journalists and the Multimedia Group for damages and the destruction of their equipment.
The statement called on President John Dramani Mahama to publicly address the issue in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and guarantee the safety of journalists in the country.
The statement urged Parliament to summon the Ministers for National Security, Defence, and the Interior to account for the incident and outline measures to prevent future occurrences.
The organization called on the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), civil society organizations, and all defenders of democracy to unite in demanding accountability and the protection of media freedoms.
“The assault on Carlos Calony is one assault too many. The perpetrators must be punished decisively, or the credibility of Ghana’s democracy will be irreparably tarnished,” the statement said.
The United Press for Development Network is a media advocacy organization committed to promoting press freedom, good governance, environmental and sustainable development across Africa.
Through capacity building and advocacy, UPDN seeks to empower journalists to uphold professional standards and foster accountability.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Kenneth Odeng Adade