The ongoing Ablekuma North constituency elections has been tainted by the violent act of a police officer against a reporter from EIB Network’s GHOne TV.
The incident which took place in the early hours of Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Church Of Pentecost, Odorkor – which serves as a polling centre has raised immense concern over press freedom and the safety of journalist especially within election periods.
In an exclusive interview with the News Editor of GHOne Television, she narrated to happyghana.com that the reporter spotted a tree nearby as a convenient spot to settle and prepare for his news report in the early hours of the morning. Madam Aryeetey confirmed that Kwabena Agyekum Banahene (reporter), the victim, was slapped for no clear reasons. “He was deployed to Odorkor North, the Church Of Pentecost polling centre. When he arrived at the centre, he decided to go and sit under a tree close to the polling centre right beside a maize seller. While seated, he was approached by the Police Officer and was asked to move. But he told the police officer he is working so he is not able to move. The police officer immediately slapped him.” she stated.
She added that after being confronted by dispatched officers, Banahene was attacked again by the Police officer. “After that other police officers approached him to ask him what he did to warrant that slap. In the course of that engagement, he was attacked by the police officer again.” she said.
The news editor confirms that Banahene has received medical treatment at Cocoa Clinic – Kaneshie. “We’ve spoken to him a couple of times since it happened. He is presently at the hospital recieving medical treatment but he is not okay. He has got cuts and bruises all over his face and is emotionally unstable.” she said.
GHOne has filed an official complaint to the Ghana Police Service and the Inspector General of Police. Madam Aryeetey revealed that her management is petitioning the Ghana Journalist Association to ensure the journalist gets justice.
