Ablekuma North: Police officer who slapped journalist should’ve been given fair hearing — Dr. Adomako-Kissi

Former Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, Dr. Dickson Adomako-Kissi, has criticized the “rushed” interdiction of a police officer accused of assaulting a journalist during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun.

The Ghana Police Service interdicted the officer after he allegedly slapped Kwabena Agyekum Banahene, a reporter with Accra-based GHOne TV, while covering the election.

Banahene reportedly identified himself and explained his presence at the polling station, but the officer still ordered him to leave before the alleged assault.

Hours after the incident, the police issued a statement signed by Richmond Mensah, Assistant Superintendent of Police for the Director of Public Affairs.

It read in part: “The Ghana Police Service has monitored a viral video in which one of our officers is seen assaulting a reporter. The officer concerned has been withdrawn from the ongoing election duty at Ablekuma North and, in line with internal disciplinary procedures, has been interdicted and referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation.”

But speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Tuesday, July 15, Dr. Adomako-Kissi believes the officer deserved a fair hearing before being interdicted.

“The interdiction of the policeman seemed so fast. It’s not appropriate. There should have been a fair hearing. I don’t think the policeman has been heard,” he said.

“Not that I’m for the police service or against the media — but that’s not how we take disciplinary actions. Ideally, there should be some two weeks where both sides are heard and a decision is made. It’s not about the rapidity of justice. That is not how justice is served,” he said.

Voters in 19 polling stations returned to the polls on Friday, July 11, after a six-month impasse. NDC’s Ewurabena Aubynn won the contest.