Information minister blasts CNN journalist over report on arrest of anti-galamsey protesters

Ghana's Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has called out Larry Madowo, a journalist with media giant CNN, over his report on the arrests of the 39 people during the anti-galamsey demonstration held from September 21 to September 23, 2024, by the Democracy Hub, in the nation's capital, Accra.

In a post shared on X on Thursday, September 26, 2024, the minister, while reacting to a video report by Madowo, expressed her dissatisfaction with the characterisation of the arrests given by the journalist.

She accused the CNN journalist of being biased in his report because he reported only one side of the story.

"Please do well to check and report on both sides of a story when making publications that impact a country's image," Abubakar chided Madowo.

She went on to defend Ghana's democratic credentials, pointing to the country's regard for the rule of law.

"Ghana has always supported citizens' right to demonstrate peacefully. However, acts of vandalism, attacks on Police, and disruptions to public order will always be contained by the Police in any jurisdiction.

"Ghana's courts are also mature enough to examine evidence against accused persons and make appropriate decisions," she wrote.

What the CNN journalist said:

The CNN journalist shared a video report on X on September 25, 2024, saying that a section of the Ghanaian public was enraged over the arrest and continuous detention of the demonstrators.

"Ghana's president is speaking here in New York this morning at the UN General Assembly. While back at home, there is outrage over the continued detention of peaceful protestors against illegal mining.

"Some of them have been denied bail, have been denied access to medical care. And people are raising their voices about the human rights violations by the Ghana Police Service and also by what they see as the courts' attempt to deny them their constitutionally guaranteed rights."

View the posts shared by the minister and the journalist below:

Dear @LarryMadowo

Please do well to check and report on both sides of a story when making publications that impact a country’s image.

Ghana has always supported citizens’ right to demonstrate peacefully. However, acts of vandalism, attacks on police and disruptions to public… https://t.co/PqHwQWfomS

— Fatimatu Abubakar (@Fatimatu_A) September 26, 2024

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