The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called for justice for EIB journalist attacked by policer officer during the parliamentary rerun elections in Ablekuma North.
At a press conference on Friday, July 11, 2025, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor expressed outrage over the incident, which saw EIB Network’s Agyekum Banahene physically attacked by a police officer while reporting for GHOne TV.
The officer involved, identified as the Adentan Divisional Commander, reportedly slapped Banahene at the Church of Pentecost, North Odorkor Polling Station 2, as he attempted to report from within the voting area.
Other journalists covering the election also reportedly faced harassment and intimidation from both security forces and unidentified thugs, further intensifying fears about the safety of media professionals during politically charged events.
The GJA has demanded bold and decisive action from the Ghana Police Service, urging the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure the officer involved is not shielded from accountability.
“We demand an immediate, thorough, and transparent criminal investigation into this matter since it is a case of assault, which is a second-degree felony.
“We call on the IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to ensure that swift and decisive disciplinary action is taken to serve as a deterrent to others. We want the police to be bold and punish one of their own officer…this time, in the full glare of the public and on camera,” he said
“This is a serious issue and cannot be treated as a misdemeanour. We know what the police can do.”
Although the Ghana Police Service has already interdicted officer in question.
The rerun itself, supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC), was held in 19 polling stations following unresolved verification issues from the December 2024 general elections.
Although 18 out of 37 initially contested polling stations had their results certified, fresh voting was necessary in the remaining locations to complete the electoral process.
The Ablekuma North constituency has remained without parliamentary representation since the 2024 polls. The EC maintains that the rerun was essential for restoring full democratic participation.
