A communications member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hamza S. Suhuyini, has criticised institutions mandated to protect journalists, saying they have failed to act decisively in the face of repeated attacks on media practitioners.
According to him, professional bodies established to champion the interests of journalists appear to be inactive, despite having the authority to demand accountability from state institutions that assault journalists in the line of duty.
Hamza’s comments follow the alleged assault of Solomon Kwame Kankuli, a correspondent for Media General (TV3), by military personnel in Walewale, in the North East Region, on January 26, 2026.
The incident reportedly occurred after a Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) ordered a roadblock to question the presence of military personnel in the area, leading to an altercation between the MCE and the soldiers.
Kankuli, who was initially in the area for personal reasons but decided to investigate the matter, was then suspected of filming the confrontation.
According to accounts, the journalist was subsequently subjected to gruelling drills and physical assault by the soldiers.
About 10 military personnel allegedly surrounded Kankuli, held him by the neck, pulled his hands behind his back, and beat him severely. Two of the soldiers were said to have used sticks and whips on his back multiple times.
Despite identifying himself as a journalist, the soldiers allegedly ignored his disclosure and continued the assault. He was later taken to their base but has since been released. Kankuli has said he feared for his life during the ordeal.
Speaking on TV3 on January 27, and monitored by NewsDesksGH, Hamza said the incident reflects a broader pattern of attacks on journalists in Ghana, including by security agencies.
“It appears that the professional body intended to champion the interests of journalists themselves are sleeping.”
Referring specifically to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), he criticised their actions in times like this, and said they normally only release statements without concrete action.
“You guys have the power to shut the entirety of this nation down. To demand accountability when it comes to the work of the security institutions. And how do you do that? A decision by the Ghana Journalists Association to say that all media houses in this country are not going to operate for the next one week, until we find those officers behind this unfortunate brutality, against not just a journalist but a citizen.”
He further urged the journalist organizations to utilise existing regulatory mechanisms to hold offending institutions accountable.
“Invoke the powers of the National Media Commission to ensure that not just the military but any other institution that is deemed to be engaging in acts that threatens the safety of your workforce, are held accountable.”
In a recent incident, Samuel Addo of Class Media Group was assaulted by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service while covering a fire outbreak at the Kasoa New Market on January 5, 2026. President John Dramani Mahama later confirmed that the officers involved had been interdicted.
