The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Tuesday called on Ghanaian authorities to swiftly and comprehensively conclude inquiries into the July 30 assault on local JoyNews reporter Carlos Lorlornyo Atsu Calony and threats against camera operator Jonas Zodzi Voergborlo.
The CPJ urged transparent investigations into the attacks against these journalists. CPJ Africa program coordinator Muthoki Mumo stated, “Despite their mandate as protectors, Ghanaian security forces are unfortunately known for abusing journalists on the job.”
A day after the incident, President John Dramani Mahama condemned the treatment of the press as “unacceptable” and directed the security services to investigate and sanction those responsible. He also said he would convene security chiefs and the Ghana Journalists Association to develop training aimed at improving how officers interact with reporters in the field. The Ghana Armed Forces later announced that it had opened an investigation, following a directive from the president, and promised disciplinary action where warranted.
Press freedom groups are skeptical, and question whether accountability will follow. The Media Foundation for West Africa commented that the military’s initial response did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the footage captured on video and urged concrete steps rather than open-ended assurances. CPJ noted that efforts to reach police officials for comment went unanswered. The lack of concrete steps or transparent action seems to indicate a repeat pattern of journalist abuses.
According to Calony’s account, uniformed soldiers approached the JoyNews team as they filmed a demolition in Accra and ordered them to stop recording. Calony said an officer struck him twice from behind, leaving him with severe spinal pain and loss of vision in his left eye. Equipment was damaged, including a phone and the crew’s camera, and an officer warned Voergborlo he would also be hit if he continued filming. Calony said security personnel seized the journalists’ phones and took him to the National Intelligence Bureau headquarters, where he was held and questioned for about 45 minutes before being released. He later sought medical treatment.
Rights groups say the episode fits a broader pattern. Four years after the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale Divela, no one has been tried, and dozens of assaults, threats, and brief detentions of Ghanaian journalists have occurred since 2019, many involving security personnel. This persists despite an open letter from CPJ detailing patterns of abuse and how the publication of “false news” carries a criminal offense used to silence journalists. Advocates warn that the absence of timely sanctions encourages self-censorship and erodes public trust.
Earlier this year, five journalists were attacked while covering elections in the Ashanti Region. The Ghana Police Service issued a statement that they were attempting to find those responsible, with no further steps detailed.
CPJ’s August 12 appeal, which follows an April letter urging systemic reforms, said a transparent, time-bound inquiry that discloses findings and imposes sanctions where appropriate would signal Ghana’s commitment to end impunity and uphold the rule of law.
