The United Press for Development Network (UPDN) expresses its deepest outrage and vehement condemnation of the disgraceful assault and unlawful detention of JoyNews journalist, Mr. Carlos Calony, and his cameraman, Mr. Jonathan Mensah Quaye, by operatives in military uniform on Thursday, 30th July 2025, while covering a demolition exercise on Spintex Road in Accra.
This attack, carried out in full view of the public and broadcast live to millions of Ghanaians, is not only barbaric and unacceptable, but also represents a dangerous assault on press freedom, human rights, and the very democratic fabric of our Republic.
Ghana is not under military rule. We are a constitutional democracy, governed by the 1992 Constitution, which unequivocally guarantees freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and the right of citizens to access information. The actions of these operatives, believed to be linked to National Security [Ghana Armed Force (GAF)], are a clear violation of Article 21 (1)(a) of the Constitution and a shameful throwback to the dark days of authoritarianism that Ghanaians overwhelmingly rejected decades ago.
This incident is an affront to every citizen, every journalist, and every institution that believes in the rule of law. It is not merely an attack on Carlos Calony and JoyNews, it is a direct attack on democracy itself and the right of the Ghanaian people to be informed without fear or intimidation.
The use of brute force to silence journalists has no place in modern Ghana. The very idea that uniformed men, charged with protecting citizens, would instead assault, brutalize, unlawfully detain, and confiscate the tools of journalists’ trade, demonstrates a gross abuse of power that must not go unpunished.
*WE DEMAND IMMEDIATE ACTION*
The UPDN calls for the following without delay:
1. A full, independent, and transparent investigation into this disgraceful act of violence, led by a credible and neutral body with no ties to National Security.
2. The immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of all operatives involved, to send a clear signal that such lawlessness will not be tolerated in a democratic state.
3. Public accountability from the leadership of Ghana Armed Force, National Security and the Ministry of Defence, to explain how and why operatives in military uniform were deployed in this illegal manner against unarmed journalists and citizens.
4. A formal apology and compensation to Mr. Carlos Calony, Mr. Jonathan Mensah Quaye, and the Multimedia Group for damages suffered and equipment destroyed during this unlawful assault.
*NO MORE IMPUNITY AGAINST THE PRESS*
This is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern of intimidation and violence against journalists in Ghana in recent years. UPDN warns that this creeping culture of fear and impunity, if not confronted head-on, will erode public trust in state institutions and damage Ghana’s international reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa.
Journalists are not criminals. They are not enemies of the state. They are partners in nation-building, playing a constitutionally mandated role to hold power accountable and to serve the public’s right to know. Any attack on a journalist is an attack on every Ghanaian citizen’s right to information.
*WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED*
UPDN stands in full solidarity with JoyNews, Mr. Carlos Calony, and every journalist who continues to work under threats and intimidation.
We declare emphatically: we will not sit idle while press freedom is trampled upon. We will mobilize every legal, civil, and democratic resource available to us to ensure that those responsible are held to account.
*We call upon:* The President of the Republic, H.E John Dramani Mahama, as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and Head of State, to speak directly on this matter and guarantee the safety of all journalists.
Parliament of Ghana to summon the Ministers of National Security, Defence, and Interior to answer for this barbarity and outline clear measures to prevent a recurrence.
Civil society organizations, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), and all defenders of democracy to unite in demanding justice and an end to this lawlessness.
*GHANA IS A DEMOCRACY, NOT A MILITARY STATE!*
The UPDN reminds all security agencies and their operatives that they are servants of the state, not its overlords. Ghana belongs to its people, and its governance is rooted in democratic principles, not brute force or intimidation.
We send this as a *stern warning*: the assault on Carlos Calony is one assault too many. Those who brutalized and detained him must be punished decisively, or the credibility of Ghana’s democracy will be irreparably tarnished.
Let it be known clearly, the free press is not negotiable, and Ghana will never be silenced!
*About UPDN:*
_United Press for Development Network (UPDN) is an organization dedicated to promoting press freedom, media development, good and transparent governance, economic, environmental/climate change and sustainable development across Africa. Through capacity building, advocacy, and networking, UPDN empowers journalists and media organizations to uphold professional standards, foster governmental accountability, and advance public interest._
Signed
Kelvin Malor
(National Organizer)
024-599-5541
David Albert Quainoo
(South Korea Coordinator)
+82-10-2117-4780
Betty Boafo
(Secretary)
024-487-0055
Eric Nana Prekoh
(Media Relations Coordinator)
024-646-0428
William Hayford Mintah
(Central Region Coordinator)
024-476-6538
Frank Darlington Heymann
(International Relations Coordinator)
0245414948
SIGNED:
Rev. Kofi Asante Mensah
(President)
Tel: 024-469-0262
Office: 0302-965-325
