The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Ghanaian authorities to investigate the assault of five journalists covering the recent elections in the southern Ashanti Region. The attack occurred at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, where the journalists were documenting the vote-counting process. It reportedly stemmed from the defeat of National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Yaw Owusu Obimpeh.
At least 14 unidentified assailants disrupted the proceedings, destroying ballots, attacking the reporters by slapping and hitting them, confiscating their phones, and deleting their footage. Gideon Nana Peprah, Ashanti Regional Correspondent for GhanaWeb, described the chaotic scene: “Built men from nowhere just stormed the place. They started scattering everything — the ballots, tally sheets — and even attacked each other.”
The Ghana Police Service has pledged to track down the perpetrators, with authorities reviewing available footage to identify and arrest those responsible.
CPJ’s Africa program head, Angela Quintal, emphasized the crucial role journalists play in elections, urging the Ghanaian government to ensure accountability. She stated, “Authorities must find those behind the assault and ensure justice is served.”
