The Upper West Regional Police Command, on Wednesday apologised to members of the Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) for arresting Mr James Donkor, a journalist in Wa on October 24, last year.
The Command also apologised personally to Mr Donkor, expressed regret for the incident and gave the assurance that any Police personnel found culpable would be punished in accordance with the ethics of the Ghana Police Service.
The apology was rendered in the presence of the Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid and members of the RCC as well as other security personnel.
On October 24, Mr Donkor was arrested for taking a photograph of man, who was allegedly tied to an electric pole by the Police.
The Journalist claimed that he was manhandled, handcuffed and detained by the Police, who seized and smashed one of his mobile phones.
Mr Donkor was at a beauty pageant organised by the students of the Wa Polytechnic when he had information that the Police had tied someone to the pole.
He rushed to the scene and enquired from two Police personnel present why they had tied the victim.
They alleged that they took the action because the fellow was rowdy.
The Police did not take kindly to a snap short by Mr Donkor of the victim and thereby rushed on him and got him arrested.
In the process, his two mobile phones were seized by the Policemen, one of which was smashed on the ground.
Mr Donkor was sent to the Police station where he was detained for more than two-and-a-half hours without being told what his offence was or a statement taken from him.
This prompted members of the Regional Branch of the GJA to issue a protest statement demanding the Police Command to render an apology and also investigate the incident and to punish the perpetrators.
However, for more than three months, the Command remained adamant about the GJA request.
On January 8 the GJA issued another statement demanding an apology and urged members to boycott an end of year get-together and other official engagements of the Police in the Region.
The RCC, therefore, decided to intervene to end the stalemate.
After two hours of discussion, the impasse was amicably resolved.
The GJA accepted the apology and promised to work hand in hand with the Police to fight crime and to maintain law and order in the Region.
Mr Khalid urged the two bodies to cooperate with the RCC to bring about sustainable peace, law and order in the communities to enhance development and facilitate the Better Ghana agenda of the Government.