Frustration Grows Over Slow Police Response in Attack on Joy News Journalists

It has been over two weeks since armed illegal miners ambushed Joy News’ environmental journalist, Erastus Asare Donkor, along with three colleagues in the Ashanti Region while they were reporting on illegal mining activities in a reserve forest.

Despite Erastus reporting the attack to local authorities, investigations have progressed slowly.

He expressed his frustration with the police’s lack of action in pursuing justice for him and his colleagues in their battle against illegal mining, known as galamsey.

“There is not much information. I have been in contact with the district police commander, who informs me that the case has been taken to court but is still waiting for a hearing date,” Erastus stated.

The attackers not only ambushed the journalists but also seized their equipment, which included a drone, tablets, and SD cards.

Despite multiple requests, these items have not been returned.

Erastus mentioned that the police had assured him they would recover the equipment, but this promise has yet to be fulfilled. “I keep asking the district commander for updates, and he has no new information; they haven’t retrieved anything,” he added.

Erastus also expressed surprise that the leadership of the Ghana Police Service has remained silent on the incident.

In Ghana, the law mandates that an individual who is arrested must be brought before a court within 48 hours, as outlined in the 1992 Constitution.

However, the perpetrators of this attack have been granted bail, raising concerns about accountability and the effectiveness of the justice system in this case.