Ablekuma North Parliamentary Election Rerun: GHOne TV Reporter Slapp.ed by Police Officer

Accra, Ghana – July 11, 2025

A GHOne TV reporter, Agyekum Banahene, was assaulted by a police officer identified as Officer Dwomor.

According to Banahene, the incident occurred while he was seated at the polling station to monitor and report on the electoral process. Narrating the event, the journalist said:

“I’m a GHOne reporter — EIB Network reporter — and so I came here to cover the election. We were sitting down to monitor the elections. I was sitting behind when a police officer approached me one-on-one, asking me to move out. I told him I’m a media person and I can’t move away. We’re all watchmen, so what if I leave and something happens behind me — what will I go and report? He was pushing me, and I told him no, I’m a media person and even showed him my tag — and he slapped me because I didn’t go out. They should allow laypeople to do this, not an officer.”

Eyewitnesses say the confrontation drew attention from voters and election observers alike.

The Ghana Police Service has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. However, it is reported that Officer Dwomor has since been removed from the election grounds, pending further investigation.

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and other media rights groups are expected to weigh in on the matter, as calls for media protection during elections grow louder.

The Ablekuma North rerun has already been under high public scrutiny, and incidents such as these raise concerns about press freedom and the conduct of security personnel at polling stations.