By Edward Acquah, GNA
Accra, Oct. 7, GNA – The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has given the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) 14 days to investigate alleged assaults on journalists during a demolition exercise at La Pleasure Beach.
The Association said the investigation should establish what happened and indicate any disciplinary or other action taken against personnel found responsible.
Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the GJA, issued the ultimatum at the launch of the 30th GJA Media Awards in Accra on Wednesday.
The alleged incidents involved Bullet TV journalist Philip Abutiate, Atinka FM reporter Ohenenana Ofori Amanfo and their cameraman, Bernard Gyamfi, who were covering the exercise.
The journalists said they filmed the exercise from across the road after being denied access to the demolition site and alleged that some of their equipment was damaged during a confrontation with military personnel.
Mr Kwaku Dennis Sika, popularly known as Sika Official, also alleged that he was struck by military personnel while covering the exercise.
Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister in Charge of Government Communications, condemned the alleged assault and assured that the Government would pursue the matter to its “logical conclusion.”
Mr Dwumfour said the GJA had expressed concern over continuing attacks, intimidation and harassment of journalists in the course of their professional duties.
“Journalists must be allowed to work freely and safely. No security operation should become an excuse for assaulting media practitioners who are carrying out their constitutional responsibility of informing the public,” he said.
Mr Dwumfou called on the Minister for the Interior, the National Security Coordinator and the Chief of the Defence Staff to ensure that the GAF met the two-week deadline and publicly communicated the outcome.
He said failure to provide the requested report would leave the GJA with no option but to escalate the matter through appropriate media, institutional and public accountability channels.
“We will not allow these incidents to be swept under the carpet. We will pursue the matter until there is accountability for any personnel found to have unlawfully assaulted journalists,” he said, adding that the safety of journalists was fundamental to press freedom and the survival of Ghana’s democracy.
On the media awards, Mr Dwumfour announced that the Association had received 327 entries from 206 journalists for this year’s awards, describing the response as one of the highest recorded in recent years.
Online media accounted for 125 entries, followed by television with 111, print with 46 and radio with 45.
Mr Dwumfou said two new categories had been introduced: the New Media Platform Award and the Governance, Economy and Financial Story of the Year Award.
The New Media Platform Award, he said, was intended to promote professionalism, ethical conduct and excellence among bloggers and new media practitioners.
The Governance, Economy and Financial Story of the Year Award, supported by the Bank of Ghana, had attracted more than 10 entries despite being a new category.
Mr Dwumfour said the awards were intended to recognise journalism that informed public debate, held power to account, exposed wrongdoing and contributed to national development.
At the launch, the GJA inaugurated a nine-member committee chaired by Mr Kobby Asmah, Commissioner at the National Media Commission, to review the entries and recommend award winners.
The 30th GJA Media Awards will be held on November 7, 2026, in Accra.
President John Dramani Mahama is expected to be the special guest of honour and keynote speaker, while the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice are also expected to attend.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
7 Oct. 2026
Reporter: Edward Acquah
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Pictures attached