The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has officially petitioned the Military High Command regarding the assault of Nicholas Morkah, a morning show host at Akyemansa FM based in Akim Oda, Eastern Region.
Morkah was reportedly attacked by five soldiers during a joint military-customs operation in Akim Oda on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
The GJA, expressing its deep concern, called on the Police to promptly investigate the incident and ensure the perpetrators face legal consequences for their actions.
In a strongly worded three-point petition addressed to the Chief of the Defense Staff (CDS) on Monday, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour demanded a thorough investigation, appropriate sanctions against the soldiers if found guilty, and compensation for Mr. Morkah for the physical and material damages he suffered.
The incident occurred when Nicholas Morkah, passing through the area on a motorbike, witnessed soldiers assaulting a young man during a routine operation to impound vehicles lacking proper documentation.
When he attempted to document the incident with his mobile phone, Morkah became the target of the soldiers’ aggression.
He was physically assaulted, forcibly taken into a military vehicle, and driven to the barracks, where his phone documents were allegedly deleted. The soldiers later handed him over to the police.
The GJA, in its petition, expressed its strong condemnation of the assault, emphasizing its complete unjustifiability.
The association noted that such incidents had strained relations between the military and the media in the past, despite recent efforts by the Military High Command, led by Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, to repair these relations.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), in response to the GJA’s petition, expressed sympathy for Nicholas Morkah and the GJA, assuring a swift and thorough investigation into the alleged assault.
Air Vice Marshall MK Appiah-Agyekum, Deputy Chief of Staff (Admin), signed the letter dated October 24, 2023, which also conveyed the GAF’s commitment to improving relations between the military and the media for the benefit of the country.
GJA General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah, reiterated the association’s commitment to upholding the rights of journalists and ensuring their safety.
“We will continue to advocate for the safety of journalists and demand justice when such incidents occur,” said Yeboah, emphasizing the GJA’s dedication to safeguarding press freedom in Ghana.