Assaults on Journalists Unacceptable – Mahama Calls for Security Reforms
President says security agencies and media must work together to serve the public interest
- President Mahama has called for the urgent reorientation of security personnel to stop assaults on journalists
- He stressed that journalists and security officers are partners in public service, not adversaries
- The call follows recent attacks on media practitioners, including the Kasoa fire incident involving a Class Media journalist
President John Dramani Mahama has called for the immediate reorientation of security personnel to address the rising cases of assaults on journalists across the country.
He explained that the move is aimed at sensitising security officers on the role of journalists, emphasizing that both security agencies and the media are essential partners in public service, transparency, and accountability.
Speaking during a visit to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) on Thursday, President Mahama strongly condemned attacks on media practitioners, warning that such actions will not be tolerated under his administration.
According to the President, the proposed reorientation programme will help strengthen professionalism within the security services and ensure a safer working environment for journalists to carry out their duties without fear of intimidation or violence.
“There is no way we will tolerate the continued assault on journalists. We have engaged the Ghana Journalists Association and will ensure closer collaboration with the security services,” he said.
“Security personnel must understand that while they provide safety, journalists are also doing their job to inform the public. They are not enemies; they are partners serving the same people.”
The call comes amid growing concerns over media freedom, with 13 journalists reportedly assaulted in five separate incidents between January and July 2025, raising alarm about the safety of reporters covering public events and emergencies.
The concerns were further heightened by a recent incident involving Class Media journalist Samuel Addo, who was manhandled while covering a fire outbreak at the Kasoa New Market on Monday, January 5, 2026. Video footage captured by Citi News showed the journalist being pushed amid the chaos as some fire service personnel shouted at him.
President Mahama confirmed that the officers involved in the Kasoa incident have been identified and interdicted, stressing that accountability, training, and discipline are crucial to preventing future violations and safeguarding media freedom in Ghana.
