The National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has condemned the military’s recent assault on a journalist with JoyNews.
Carlos Carlony, a reporter with Accra-based JoyNews, was allegedly manhandled and picked up by military personnel while covering the demolition of a warehouse belonging to business mogul Dr. Daniel McKorley.
He was taken to the National Security Blue Gate and later released the same day on Wednesday, July 30.
Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, July 31, the former Member of Parliament for Odododiodio described the incident as “unfortunate and condemnable.”
“Any form of assault, whatever form it takes, is condemnable. Even if there is a reason for you to respond or react to something, it must be justifiable. It must be within limit. It must be permissible. You don’t just attack somebody, violate the person’s fundamental freedoms, and expect to be allowed to go,” he said.
He added, “Any assault from a soldier or any member of the Security Service on a civilian is wrong — on a journalist in the course of his duty is even more wrong.”
The government, hours after the incident, issued a statement condemning the attack and tasked the Minister for Defence to ensure a full investigation.
In a statement, the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that investigations had “begun into the inappropriate conduct of some soldiers during an encounter with some journalists around Spintex in Accra today 30 July 2025.”
“The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to assure the general public that the investigations will be thorough and those found culpable will be dealt with accordingly,” the statement added.
