The Ghana Police Service has interdicted a police officer seen in a viral video assaulting a journalist during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun election.
The officer has been withdrawn from election duty and referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for further investigation.
In a statement, the police assured the public of a thorough investigation and promised to provide updates in due course.
“We would like to assure the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the matter and further updates will be communicated,” the statement read.
The assaulted journalist has been identified as Banahene Agyekum, a reporter with GH One Television. He was allegedly slapped by a senior police officer while covering the ongoing rerun election at Ablekuma North.
According to Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey, who witnessed the scene, the officer in question should be removed for what he described as having “a hot temper.”
TV3’s George Kwaning, reporting live from the area, said the District Police Commander had arrived at the polling station to gather first-hand information.
“To resolve the issue, the district commander has asked the Accra Mayor to leave the area as his presence is attracting a crowd,” Kwaning reported.
Following the incident, Banahene Agyekum told TV3 that he was experiencing pain in his right eye and would not be able to continue his election coverage.
“Yes, I can’t continue work today because my right eye is shaking, and I don’t know what happened to my forehead. I need a medical checkup,” he said.
