Accra: Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has assured journalists of the Ghana Police Service's commitment to their protection, stressing that incidents of police brutality against media practitioners will not be tolerated. "I assure you that no police will attack you. We are there to protect you. It is our duty to protect you, because without you, nobody will know what is happening," he said.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Yohuno made these remarks during a meeting between the Police leadership and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) at the International Press Centre to discuss recent attacks on journalists and measures to strengthen police-media relations. The meeting was attended by members of the Police Management Board, executives of the GJA, veteran journalists, and senior editors of major media outlets.
Mr Yohuno announced plans to introduce joint training programmes for police officers and journalists to improve mutual understanding during coverage of public events. Updating the media on investigations into some journalists' attacks, he said the Service had interdicted the senior officer who assaulted an EIB Network reporter during the Ablekuma North by-election, adding that the docket on the matter had been forwarded to the Attorney-General for advice.
A report by the Police Professional Standards Bureau, he disclosed, had also given clearance to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the officer involved. Mr Yohuno debunked rumours that the officer had not been transferred but rather withdrawn from duty. "When you are interdicted, your uniform is taken away from you and you cannot go back to work until the disciplinary and criminal processes are concluded," he explained.
Eight suspects linked to recent attacks on journalists had also been arrested and were expected to be put before court this week. Other investigations, including attacks that occurred during the Council of State elections in Kumasi, were also ongoing.
Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, the President of the GJA, expressed concern over the spate of attacks on journalists, describing the Ablekuma North assault as particularly disturbing because it involved a senior police officer. He said the Association had recorded multiple attacks since the beginning of the year, including incidents in the Ashanti and Western regions, as well as one in which journalists were detained by military personnel at a national security facility.
"It is becoming so scary, and one may ask if journalism is a crime," Mr Dwumfour stated. He warned that individuals who attacked journalists would be labelled as "enemies of democracy and press freedom," stressing the important bridge the media formed between the government and the citizenry.
He highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between the Police and the media, noting that both institutions gathered and processed information, one for public communication and the other for intelligence. "So why should there be tension?" he asked.
While commending the Police for some progress in sending suspects to court, the GJA President urged the IGP to provide clear and periodic updates on other ongoing investigations, including the Kumasi case involving six journalists. That, he said, would help build confidence and trust.
