MFWA condemns assault on JoyNews journalist during EOCO protest coverage after Chairman Wontumi’s arrest
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has issued a strong condemnation following the assault of JoyNews journalist Latif Iddrisu by security personnel and supporters of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Accra.
The incident occurred on May 27, 2025, as Iddrisu was providing live coverage from the headquarters of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), where NPP supporters had assembled to protest the arrest of their Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi.
During the protest, tensions escalated when security agents at the scene allegedly seized Iddrisu’s mobile phone and compelled him to delete videos documenting the event. Not long after, he was physically assaulted by a group of NPP supporters unhappy with his live broadcast. According to a statement from JoyNews, Iddrisu was struck on the head, with a stone and a rubber band reportedly used as makeshift weapons during the attack.
Throughout the ordeal, Iddrisu continued to report live, repeatedly informing viewers that he was under attack. At one point, a protester demanded to be interviewed on air, only to use the platform to deny the assault and accuse the journalist of fabricating the events, despite clear video evidence to the contrary.
The National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Salam Mustapha, later intervened, publicly apologizing for the conduct of the party’s supporters. However, he also insisted that Iddrisu report on the actions of the security forces who confiscated his phone and deleted footage, an issue the journalist had already brought to light during his coverage.
JoyNews has since filed a formal complaint with the police, calling for a prompt investigation and prosecution of those responsible. While the station welcomed the NPP’s apology, it also urged the party to cooperate fully with law enforcement in ensuring accountability.
The MFWA echoed this demand, calling for justice not only against the physical attackers but also against the security agents who violated the journalist’s rights. The Foundation specifically appealed to EOCO Executive Director Raymond Archer, a former journalist himself, to investigate the conduct of his personnel and take appropriate disciplinary action.
“This assault is not only a blatant violation of a journalist’s rights,” the MFWA stated, “but also a serious threat to press freedom and the public’s right to information.”
The incident adds to growing concerns about the safety of journalists in Ghana, particularly during politically charged events. Both the MFWA and JoyNews have emphasized that swift legal action and institutional accountability are crucial to preventing such abuses from becoming normalized.
