Ghana Military Investigates Assault on Journalist, Sparks Concerns Over Press Freedom
Walewale, Ghana – The Ghana Armed Forces has launched an investigation into allegations that military personnel assaulted Solomon Kwame Kanaluwe, a journalist with Media General Group, in Walewale, North East Region. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has raised concerns about the safety of journalists and press freedom in the West African nation.
Kanaluwe, the North East Regional correspondent for Media General, told the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) that he was approached by approximately four soldiers while parked on his motorbike in front of a shop. The soldiers questioned him about the vehicle’s ownership and reportedly claimed that addressing disruptions to their operations fell within their duties.
The situation escalated when the soldiers detained Kanaluwe and seized his mobile phone. He alleges that after copying his contacts and forwarding selected messages, the phone was returned with all data erased.
“They showed me a section of what they described as the military code of ethics on a mobile phone, claiming it allowed for ‘minor punishment’ when someone obstructs their duties,” Kanaluwe recounted to MFWA.
The Ghana Armed Forces acknowledged the incident in a press statement released Wednesday, January 28, 2026, signed by Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, Acting Director General of Public Relations. The military attributed the incident to heightened security operations in the region, prompted by recent attacks on public transport in the North East and Upper East Regions that have resulted in casualties.
The MFWA has welcomed the swift response from the military high command and the launch of an investigation. However, the organization is urging for transparency throughout the process and a public release of the investigation’s findings. The MFWA also called for updates on previous investigations into alleged assaults on journalists by soldiers in the North East Region in 2025, as well as broader complaints of military misconduct towards civilians in the area.
“Accountability and professionalism are paramount in security operations,” the MFWA stated. “Civilians, including journalists, must be protected, even during periods of heightened security.”
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing global concern over the safety of journalists. According to Reporters Without Borders’ 2023 World Press Freedom Index, Ghana ranks 60th out of 180 countries, a slight improvement from previous years, but still facing challenges related to intimidation and violence against the press. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has documented a rise in online harassment of journalists globally, often linked to political polarization and disinformation campaigns.
The Ghanaian government has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to press freedom, but critics argue that more needs to be done to ensure the safety of journalists and hold perpetrators of violence accountable. The MFWA’s call for transparency in the investigation is seen as a crucial step towards building trust between the military, the media, and the public.
The situation in the North East Region is particularly sensitive, with ongoing security concerns related to cross-border crime and potential extremist activity. The military’s increased presence and operations are intended to address these threats, but the incident involving Kanaluwe highlights the need for clear guidelines and protocols to prevent abuses of power and protect civilian rights.
