Twifo Praso (C/R), Sept. 26, GNA – Mr. Isaac Yawson, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Twifo Atti-Morkwa has condemned the assault on GNA stringer Nana Kwame Essel by illegal miners at Twifo Mampong in the Central Region.
The journalist was covering the scene of a collapsed mining pit, which claimed three lives and trapped four others, when he was attacked.
While filming the site, some illegal miners, angered by his presence, demanded he delete the footage. When he refused, they physically assaulted him and vandalized his equipment, including his mobile phone.
Mr. Yawson said it took the timely intervention of the police and himself to rescue the injured journalist. “We quickly put him in my vehicle and rushed him to safety, and later to the hospital,” he recounted.
Mr. Essel is currently receiving treatment at the Twifo Oil Palm Plantation (TOPP) Health Centre at Twifo Praso.
The DCE said he had directed the police to launch a full-scale investigation to arrest and prosecute all those involved. “This attack is not only criminal but also a direct assault on press freedom and democracy,” he stressed.
He added that journalists must be allowed to operate freely without intimidation or violence, particularly when reporting on national issues such as illegal mining.
Mr. Yawson assured the media fraternity and the public that his office was collaborating with the police to ensure justice was served and to strengthen measures against such criminal acts.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey /Audrey Dekalu