Accra: The United Press for Development Network (UPDN) has expressed strong condemnation over the alleged assault and detention of JoyNews journalist Carlos Calony and his cameraman, Jonathan Mensah Quaye, by persons in military uniform during a demolition exercise at Spintex Road in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, the incident, which reportedly occurred on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, was captured live on national television and has since drawn sharp criticism from media rights groups and members of the public. In a press statement issued and signed by Reverend Kofi Asante Mensah, President of UPDN, the attack was described as 'barbaric and unacceptable,' calling it a grave assault on press freedom, human rights, and Ghana's democratic credentials.
The statement emphasized that Ghana is a constitutional democracy governed by the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press and expression. It criticized the actions of the operatives, believed to be affiliated with National Security and the Ghana Armed Forces, as a clear violation of Article 21(1)(a) of the Constitution, describing it as a 'shameful throwback to the dark days of authoritarianism.'
The UPDN highlighted that this incident was not isolated, but part of a growing trend of intimidation and violence against journalists in the country. It reiterated that 'the use of brute force to silence journalists has no place in modern Ghana,' and stressed that journalists are partners in national development who play a constitutionally mandated role in holding power to account.
The organization demanded a full, independent, and transparent investigation into the incident, as well as the immediate arrest and prosecution of the individuals involved. It called on the leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces, the National Security, and the Ministry of Defence to publicly explain the deployment of military personnel against unarmed journalists and civilians.
UPDN also requested a formal apology and compensation to the affected journalists and the Multimedia Group for damages and the destruction of their equipment. The statement urged President John Dramani Mahama to publicly address the issue as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and guarantee the safety of journalists in the country.
Furthermore, the statement called on Parliament to summon the Ministers for National Security, Defence, and the Interior to account for the incident and outline measures to prevent future occurrences. The organization appealed to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), civil society organizations, and all defenders of democracy to unite in demanding accountability and the protection of media freedoms.
The statement concluded with a strong message: 'The assault on Carlos Calony is one assault too many. The perpetrators must be punished decisively, or the credibility of Ghana's democracy will be irreparably tarnished.'
The United Press for Development Network is a media advocacy organization committed to promoting press freedom, good governance, environmental and sustainable development across Africa. Through capacity building and advocacy, UPDN seeks to empower journalists to uphold professional standards and foster accountability.
