The Upper West Regional Branch of the Ghana
Journalists Association (GJA) has called on the Regional Police Command to as a matter of urgency
investigate the alleged manhandling of its member by the Police in Wa.
Mr. James Donkor, a Journalist at Radio Progress, a local FM station in Wa, was, on
October 24, reportedly arrested for taking a photograph of someone who had been tied to an
electric pole by the Police.
"The GJA, therefore, views the arrest, handcuffing and detention of Mr. Donkor by the
Police as unfortunate, unprofessional and a breach of his fundamental human right and that of Freedom of the Press."
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Upper West Regional Chairman of the GJA, Mr. Bajin D. Pobia, in Wa at the weekend.
"The seizure and smashing of one of his mobile phone by the Police is highly unacceptable and must be condemned in no uncertain terms," the statement said.
The statement explained that the victim was on a beauty pageant programme organised by
students of the Wa Polytechnic when he heard that somebody had been tied to an electric pole by the Police.
It further explained that Mr. Donkor, who rushed to the scene to verify the allegation,
actually found a man tied to an electric pole with two police men standing by.
When he asked why the man had been tied to the pole the policemen said the man had been rowdy.
He, subsequently, took a snap shot of the man but the Police did not take kindly to his
action and forcefully arrested him.
In the process, his two mobile phones were collected by the two, with one being smashed and damaged. The statement said Donkor was sent to the Police Station where he was detained for more
than two and half hours without being told what his offence was or being made to write a statement.
The Association, therefore, condemned the action of the Police and reminded them to always be civil and act professionally in whatever situation they found themselves.
The GJA pointed out that Ghana has been rated high in international circles as a country
where Freedom of the Media is guaranteed and any attempt by the Police to dent that image would not be condoned by the Association.