The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has demanded the arrest and prosecution of military officers who subjected Media General’s North East Regional correspondent, Solomon Kanaluwe to severe beatings on January 26.
The victim, who is also the Secretary of the GJA North East Region, was assaulted at about 3:00pm, while lawfully going about his private and professional life in Walewale.
“We demand the immediate investigation, arrest and prosecution of the Military officers involved in the Walewale assault,” The GJA demanded.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on January 28, the President of the Association, Mr Albert Dwumfuor said “According to the report submitted to the GJA, Mr. Kanaluwe had parked his motorcycle near a roadside store in town to purchase basic supplies when he was approached by a group of military personnel who were already present in the area. Without provocation, the soldiers questioned the ownership of his motorcycle and before he could adequately respond, subjected him to a physical assault.”
The GJA President added that “Two of the military personnel allegedly beat the journalist on the back with sticks and canes approximately four times, claiming that he had parked at an unauthorised location. Even after Mr. Kanaluwe identified himself as a journalist, the assault reportedly continued, with the soldiers stating that they did not care about his profession. He was detained for a while and released after his phone was seized and some pictures and messages deleted from the phone.”
Mr Dwumfuor said, ” This conduct is unacceptable, unlawful and deeply troubling. It reflects a dangerous disregard for the rights of civilians and journalists and undermines public confidence in the professionalism of the Ghana Armed Forces.”
The GJA condemned the assault in the strongest terms and called on the Military High Command to immediately investigate this incident, identify the personnel involved, and apply appropriate sanctions.
“We further demand that the matter be treated with the seriousness it deserves and that the victim is offered protection and support. Attacks on journalists by military personnel, whether in the line of duty or otherwise, are completely intolerable and must not be normalised under any circumstances,” the GJA President stressed.
