GJA gives Armed Forces 14 days to probe alleged assaults on journalists at La Pleasure Beach

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has given the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) a 14-day deadline to investigate alleged assaults on journalists during a demolition exercise at La Pleasure Beach and report on any disciplinary action taken against personnel found culpable.

GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour issued the ultimatum on Wednesday, October 8, 2026, at the launch of the 30th GJA Media Awards in Accra.

The Association is demanding a full account of the incidents, including the circumstances surrounding the alleged attacks and the measures taken against any military personnel found responsible.

The journalists involved include Bullet TV journalist Philip Abutiate, Atinka FM reporter Ohenenana Ofori Amanfo and their cameraman, Bernard Gyamfi, who were covering the demolition exercise.

According to the journalists, they were denied access to the demolition site and subsequently filmed the exercise from across the road. They alleged that a confrontation with military personnel resulted in damage to some of their equipment.

Another media personality, Kwaku Dennis Sika, popularly known as Sika Official, also alleged that military personnel struck him while he was covering the exercise.

Minister in Charge of Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu condemned the alleged assault and assured that the government would pursue the matter to its “logical conclusion.”

Mr Dwumfour said the latest allegations formed part of growing concerns over attacks, intimidation and harassment of journalists while carrying out their professional responsibilities.

“Journalists must be allowed to work freely and safely. No security operation should become an excuse for assaulting media practitioners who are carrying out their constitutional responsibility of informing the public,” he said.

He called on the Minister for the Interior, the National Security Coordinator and the Chief of the Defence Staff to ensure that the GAF complied with the two-week deadline and publicly communicated the outcome of its investigation.

The GJA President warned that failure to provide the requested report would compel the Association to escalate the matter through appropriate media, institutional and public accountability channels.

“We will not allow these incidents to be swept under the carpet. We will pursue the matter until there is accountability for any personnel found to have unlawfully assaulted journalists,” he said.

He stressed that the protection of journalists was essential to press freedom and the survival of Ghana's democracy.

GJA receives 327 entries for 30th Media Awards

Meanwhile, the GJA has received 327 entries from 206 journalists for this year's media awards, with Mr Dwumfour describing the response as one of the highest recorded in recent years.

Online media practitioners submitted 125 entries, while television accounted for 111. Print journalists submitted 46 entries, with radio recording 45.

The Association has also introduced two new categories for this year's awards: the New Media Platform Award and the Governance, Economy and Financial Story of the Year Award.

Mr Dwumfour said the New Media Platform Award was designed to promote professionalism, ethical conduct and excellence among bloggers and new media practitioners.

The Governance, Economy and Financial Story of the Year Award, supported by the Bank of Ghana, has attracted more than 10 entries despite being a new category.

According to Mr Dwumfour, the awards seek to recognise journalism that contributes to public debate, holds power to account, exposes wrongdoing and supports national development.

A nine-member committee chaired by Kobby Asmah, Commissioner at the National Media Commission, was inaugurated at the launch to review the entries and recommend winners.

The 30th GJA Media Awards is scheduled for November 7, 2026, in Accra.

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to attend as the special guest of honour and keynote speaker, while the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice are also expected to be present.