My eyes are shaking – GHOne journalist speaks after being slapped by police officer at Ablekuma North rerun
GHOne TV journalist Agyekum Banahene says he feels unsafe after being slapped by a police officer during his coverage of the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun on Friday, July 11, 2025.
The incident reportedly occurred at the Church of Pentecost, North Odorkor Polling 2 Station, when Banahene attempted to gain access to the inner perimeter of the voting center as part of his election reportage. In an interview with Citi News’ Fauzu Masawudu, the visibly shaken journalist recounted the moment he was assaulted.
“I feel threatened because we were complaining about media freedom, and now what has happened is that an officer, not a layman, has slapped a journalist.”
He said the officer singled him out even though other media personnel were present at the venue.
“He just came to approach me that I should leave the premises. Meanwhile, there were other media guys at the premises, he didn’t ask anybody to leave but he just approached me to leave.”
Banahene said he tried to explain the importance of his presence but was assaulted instead.
“I said no, I can’t go — what if I go and something happens, how do I report? He was pushing me and he slapped me in the face for no reason. I have not done anything wrong to anybody.”
According to him, the officer’s conduct is a troubling development, especially in the face of Ghana’s ongoing debate about press freedom.
“That means he has taken an interest in whatever we are doing… My eyes are currently shaking. I don’t know what will happen to me.”
“For me, I say the man has taken an interest. We need to allow laymen to do this, not an officer who knows the law. They say press freedom — where is that press freedom?”
Despite the ordeal, Banahene says he will officially report the assault to the Accra Regional Police Command on Monday. He revealed that the Mayor of Accra has already reached out to him over the issue.
“So for me, I have taken note that Monday morning I am going to make an official complaint to the Commander at Accra. But the Accra Mayor has spoken to me about the issue, so he has asked me to go and make an official complaint.”
