GJA calls for investigation into police assault on colleague

The Volta Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has appealed to the Volta Regional Security Council to set up an independent body to investigate the reported assault by the Police of its chairman.

Mr. Victor Kwawukume, a reporter of the Daily Graphic, was reportedly assaulted on Sunday when he was covering a police operation at Anlokordzi to flush out criminals and drug peddlers.

A statement signed by Mr. Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi, the Volta Regional Secretary of the Association, on Tuesday said, “We strongly condemn the incivility and hope a thorough investigation will be conducted and the people found culpable brought to book.”

It said the fact that police could attack a journalist who identified himself to them was cause for concern to media practitioners in the Region and a danger to media freedom.

The statement said, this year being an election year, the Police needed to be very responsible in their duties to protect and defend the rights of innocent civilians, including journalists.

“Mr Kwawukume identified himself as a journalist but this fell on deaf ears as policemen pounced on him and beat him up until his policeman friend intervened and rescued him,” it said.

“The police seized his camera and asked him to come for it at the Ho Municipal Police Station where he was ordered to delete all the shots he had taken.”**