Police Officer Allegedly Slaps Journalist at Ablekuma North Rerun
GHOne TV’s Banahene Agyekum assaulted while covering polling activities
Edem Latsu Nukafu 
A police inspector has allegedly assaulted a journalist from GHOne TV, Banahene Agyekum, during coverage of the ongoing parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency. The incident occurred at the Church of Pentecost polling station in Odorkor on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Granting interview to some section of the media, Mr Agyekum recounted the shocking moment when the officer ordered him to vacate the area, despite several other journalists being present.
“I was simply doing my job as a journalist,” Agyekum explained. “When I questioned why I was the only one asked to leave, I showed him my press ID, but without warning, he slapped me.”
A video captured by Accra-based Original TV and widely circulated on social media shows the visibly agitated officer confronting Agyekum. Attempts by other officers to intervene and de-escalate the situation were unsuccessful at the time.
The journalist, still reeling from the incident, described the officer’s behaviour as aggressive and unnecessary. He also revealed that the same police inspector had earlier confronted the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo, but only withdrew after bystanders identified the mayor.
The incident has sparked public outrage, with media watchdogs and civil society groups condemning the attack and demanding swift disciplinary action against the officer involved.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is expected to issue a formal statement as concerns mount over the safety of journalists covering elections and other public events.
Authorities have yet to release the name of the officer involved, but pressure is mounting for accountability as the rerun itself continues under intense political scrutiny.
