Journalist Fears for His Safety After Police Assault at Ablekuma North Rerun
GHOne TV journalist Agyekum Banahene says he now fears for his safety after being assaulted by a police officer while covering the ongoing Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun on Friday, July 11, 2025.
The incident occurred at the Church of Pentecost, North Odorkor Polling 2 Station, where Banahene was slapped by the officer as he attempted to access the inner perimeter of the voting centre for election coverage.
Speaking to Citi News’ Fauzu Masawudu, Banahene expressed deep concern over his safety following the attack.
“I feel threatened because we were complaining about media freedom, and now what has happened is that an officer, not a layman, has slapped a journalist,” Banahene recounted.
“That means he has taken an interest in whatever we are doing… My eyes are currently shaking. I don’t know what will happen to me.”
He explained that the officer singled him out without any provocation.
“He just came to approach me that I should leave the premises. Meanwhile, there were other media guys at the premises—he didn’t ask anybody to leave but just approached me to leave,” Banahene said.
“I said no, I can’t go—what if I go and something happens, how do I report? He was pushing me and he slapped me in the face for no reason. I have not done anything wrong to anybody.”
Banahene condemned the officer’s actions, describing them as an attack on press freedom and questioning the professionalism of the police.
“For me, I say the man has taken an interest. We need to allow laymen to do this, not an officer who knows the law. They say press freedom—where is that press freedom?”
He added that he intends to officially report the matter to the Accra Regional Police Command.
“So for me, I have taken note that Monday morning I am going to make an official complaint to the Commander at Accra. But the Accra Mayor has spoken to me about the issue, so he has asked me to go and make an official complaint.”
As of now, the Ghana Police Service has not issued any public statement regarding the incident.
The assault has sparked fresh concerns over media freedom and the safety of journalists covering Ghana’s electoral process.
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