The Legal Green Association has condemned what it describes as the alleged brutal assault of a Media General journalist by personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces in Walewale in the North East Region.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Association said it had received reports that Mr Solomon Kwame Kanaluwe, the North East Regional Correspondent of Media General, was assaulted on January 26, 2026, while lawfully going about his duties.
The group described the alleged incident as deeply troubling, warning that if established, it would amount to a serious abuse of power, a violation of fundamental human rights, and an attack on Ghana’s constitutional democracy.
According to the Legal Green Association, the 1992 Constitution guarantees the protection of personal liberty, human dignity and freedom of the media, stressing that journalists are protected from interference while lawfully performing their duties.
The statement signed by Mr Festus Matey, Leader of the Legal Green Association, and Mr Evans Mawunyo Tsikata, Head of Politics pointed out that “An assault on a journalist, whether or not he was actively covering a story at the time, strikes at the heart of press freedom, public accountability and the rule of law.”
The Association noted that assault is a criminal offence under Section 84 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), adding that no individual, including members of the security services, is above the law.
It further pointed out that the Armed Forces Act, 1962 (Act 105) requires military personnel to act with discipline, professionalism and respect for civilian authority, and said any conduct inconsistent with these standards must attract sanctions.
The Legal Green Association expressed concern over what it described as growing reports of alleged military brutality against civilians and journalists during internal security operations, cautioning that such conduct undermines public confidence and civil-military relations.
Calling for accountability, the Association urged President John Dramani Mahama, as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Acting Minister for Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and relevant oversight bodies to immediately institute an independent and transparent investigation into the incident.
It said officers found culpable should be identified, prosecuted and sanctioned in accordance with the Constitution, criminal law and military regulations.
“Attacks on journalists are attacks on democracy itself,” the statement added, warning that the normalisation of excessive force by state security actors poses a threat to national stability.
The Association also expressed solidarity with Mr Kanaluwe, Media General and journalists across the country, reaffirming its commitment to defending press freedom, human rights and the rule of law.
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