Police interdict officer over attack on EIB reporter at Ablekuma North rerun

The Ghana Police Service has interdicted an officer captured in a viral video physically assaulting a journalist from the EIB Network during the parliamentary election rerun in the Ablekuma North Constituency.

The incident occurred on Friday, July 11, while journalist Kwabena Agyekum Banahene was covering the electoral process.

Despite wearing a clearly branded outfit and identifying himself as a journalist, Banahene was allegedly ordered by a police officer to leave the polling premises.

Upon explaining his presence, the officer reportedly slapped him, causing injury.

A statement from the Ghana Police Service on Friday confirmed the officer’s interdiction and withdrawal from election duties.

The officer has also been referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for internal disciplinary investigation.

“The Ghana Police Service has monitored a viral video in which one of our officers is seen assaulting a reporter. The officer concerned has been withdrawn from the ongoing election duty at Ablekuma North; and in line with internal disciplinary procedures, he has been interdicted and referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation,” the statement read.

The EIB Network, where the assaulted journalist works, has condemned the incident and is calling on the government and security agencies to take swift action.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission (EC) is supervising the rerun in 19 polling stations within the constituency, following verification challenges that marred the December 2024 general elections.

Results from 18 of the 37 disputed polling stations had already been certified, prompting the need for a fresh vote in the remaining 19.

The Ablekuma North Constituency has been without a Member of Parliament since 2024 due to the unresolved collation process. The EC maintains that the rerun is necessary to bring finality to the matter and ensure the area regains parliamentary representation.