GHOne TV journalist assaulted by police officer at Ablekuma North rerun polling station
A police officer assigned to maintain security during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun has been accused of assaulting GHOne TV journalist, Agyekum Banahene, at the Church of Pentecost, North Odorkor Polling Station 2.
According to Banahene, the incident occurred when he attempted to gain access to the inner perimeter of the polling station to properly cover the electoral process.
He recounted that the officer approached him directly and instructed him to leave the area, despite the presence of other journalists at the same location.
“He just came to me and said I should leave the premises. There were other media people there, but he singled me out,” Banahene told reporters.
When he declined to leave, explaining that it was necessary for him to be on-site to cover any developments, the officer allegedly assaulted him. “I said no, I can’t go, what if something happens? How do I report it? He started pushing me and then slapped me in the face—for no reason. I hadn’t wronged anyone,” he said.
Banahene condemned the officer’s actions as a clear abuse of power and a violation of press freedom, stressing that such conduct is unacceptable, especially from someone tasked with upholding the law.
“They always talk about press freedom—where is the press freedom? If ordinary people are not supposed to behave this way, how much more a law enforcement officer?” he said.
The journalist confirmed he would lodge an official complaint with the Accra Regional Police Command. He also disclosed that the Mayor of Accra had reached out to express concern and urged him to pursue the matter through the appropriate legal channels.
The incident has sparked broader concerns about journalist safety and press freedom during election coverage in Ghana.
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