President John Dramani Mahama has condemned in strongest terms the attack on JoyNews journalist, Carlos Carlony and his cameraman by some military officers and national security operatives during demolition of a McDan warehouse on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Speaking during the swearing in of the final batch of deputy ministers on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the Jubilee House, President Mahama noted that he’s instructed security institutions to investigate the incident and bring the officers involved to book.
“Allow me to condemn in the strongest terms the recent incident involving the manhandling of some journalist by our security personnel. Such conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I have instructed that the incident be thoroughly investigated and that the officers involved be sanctioned accordingly,” Mahama stated.
The President stressed that “as a card bearing member of the Ghana Journalist Association, I will not preside over a government that abuses or intimidates journalist in the lawful exercise of their duties.”
He underscored the importance of media freedom and a free and responsible press to the country’s democracy.
President Mahama disclosed that he will soon hold a meeting between the Heads of the Security services and the Ghana Journalist Association to plan a programme to orient security officers to recognize the media not as enemies but as partners in development.
The incident occurred during coverage of demolition of a warehouse belonging to businessman Daniel McKorley, popularly known as McDan.
The JoyNews reporter Carlos Carlony while interviewing an eyewitness was interrupted by military officers and some national security personnel who demanded that he stopped reporting on the demolition.
Mr. Carlony was further detained alongside Group CEO of McDan and three others, who were allegedly compelled to kneel.
According to Carlony, he received punches from behind by one of the military officers and has since visited the hospital where a number of scans had been conducted.
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