The Office of the President has instructed the Minister for Defence and the National Security Coordinator to urgently investigate an incident involving the attempted arrest of JoyNews journalist Carlos Calony and the physical assault of an eyewitness by a soldier. The confrontation took place at a demolition site along the Spintex Road in Accra.
In a directive issued on July 30, President John Dramani Mahama emphasized the importance of swift and decisive disciplinary action to uphold accountability within the security services.
“The appropriate disciplinary and punitive measures must be applied without delay to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences,” the statement read.
The Presidency condemned the incident, describing it as wholly inconsistent with the values of the Mahama-led administration and Ghana’s democratic principles.
“These actions are utterly unacceptable to the John Mahama administration and have no place in the country’s democratic society,” the statement noted.
Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who conveyed the President’s position, reiterated Mahama’s firm stance on media rights.
“I have been directed by President John Dramani Mahama to unequivocally reaffirm his unwavering commitment to the freedom and safety of journalists,” he stated.
He added: “A free and unfettered press is a cornerstone of our democracy, essential for accountability, transparency, and informed public discourse. Government also reiterates our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all Ghanaian citizens, whose rights must always be protected.”
How It Unfolded
Carlos Calony, a reporter with JoyNews, had visited the site to investigate claims surrounding the demolition of a warehouse owned by business mogul and McDan Group Executive Chairman, Daniel McKorley. The warehouse had reportedly been demolished by state security operatives the previous night.
According to Carlos, he had begun interviewing an eyewitness when military personnel suddenly stormed the area.
“There was no confrontation at all. We were actually filming when they came in and assaulted me… We got there before the military arrived and I was speaking to an eyewitness who had witnessed the demolition. From nowhere, we heard sirens coming, and the military just stormed the place and interrupted me during the interview. I told them we were journalists just telling the story. Beyond that, I tried to speak to the head of the team to let him understand that we were on the grounds to report,” he recounted.
Carlos said the officers directed the press crew to stop recording, and while complying, he was attacked by a soldier.
“Around that time, we were to go on air, so I was speaking to my producer. And in the process of talking to my producer, another military man from behind said it seemed I was filming and so he punched me from behind, two direct blows to my neck. At that point, I lost control and almost fell down,” he revealed.
After the assault, Carlos said he was forcefully taken into custody by the operatives and transported to the National Security Headquarters, alongside McDan and three others.
“After all these things happened, they now said I would be arrested, and they pushed me into the vehicle together with the Group CEO of McDan and three others to the National Security Head Office,” he said.
While in custody, he was questioned, and his phone was confiscated and searched.
“They kept us there for about 45 minutes. They came in, monitored the room, and asked me questions. I told them I was from JoyNews. At this point, they had taken our phones and went through them. They asked me to write a statement, and I told them I had to hear from my bosses before we take it from there,” Carlos explained.
Media House Reacts
Multimedia Group, operators of JoyNews, has condemned the incident, stating that it undermines the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression and access to information.
“This is not only an attack on two of our journalists but also a blatant affront to media freedom, the right to information, and the constitutional guarantee of free expression in Ghana. Journalists must be allowed to work freely and safely. We will not relent in our duty to inform the Ghanaian people,” the media house asserted in a public statement.
They are calling for a transparent investigation into the matter, with sanctions imposed on all security operatives involved.
Broader Concerns About Attacks on the Press
This incident adds to a growing list of attacks against journalists in Ghana, despite repeated calls for reform and protection.
In July, a JoyNews journalist was slapped by an unknown individual while covering the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun election at the Odorkor Methodist polling station.
Earlier in May, JoyNews reporter Latif Iddrisu was assaulted during a protest outside the offices of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) following the arrest of NPP’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi).
“I have been assaulted by these individuals on live television,” a visibly shaken Latif stated during his broadcast.
In another case, Theophilus Thompson, aged 55, was arrested in Jamestown for allegedly assaulting a journalist and threatening their life. He has since been remanded after being denied bail. Thompson has pleaded not guilty.
He has also received public support from senior NPP figures, including National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye and National Youth Organiser Salam Mustapha.
GJA Demands Action
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has urged law enforcement to treat attacks on media practitioners with the seriousness they deserve.
President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, stressed that these incidents are undermining Ghana’s global image.
He said the frequent assaults have contributed to Ghana’s drop on the World Press Freedom Index, but the GJA is determined to reverse this trend.
He called on all stakeholders—Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, and civil society—to join forces to curb the attacks and uphold the nation’s democratic values.
