Ghana: RSF condemns the attack on three environmental journalists reporting on an illegal mining operation
Three journalists were threatened and prevented from filming the illegal exploitation of agricultural land by miners in western Ghana. One of them was assaulted and his equipment damaged. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns this latest attack, which seeks to prevent journalists from reporting on subjects of public interest related to the country's environmental resources, and calls on the authorities to bring those responsible to justice.
In yet another threat to environmental journalism in Ghana, three journalists were assaulted on 21 February and prevented from filming an illegal mining operation in the Wassa Amenfi West District, in the Western Region: Angel TV journalist Henry Fynn Emil, ABC News journalist Jacob Adu-Baah, and Western Region correspondent for Channel One TV and Citi FM Akwasi Agyei Annim.
While the journalists were filming the illegally occupied and exploited farm site, galamsayers — illegal gold miners in Ghana — ordered them to stop filming and attempted to seize their cameras. The four-person police escort accompanying the journalists was powerless to stop the violent attack. “I then filmed the altercation with my phone. Three of them yelled at me to stop, they twisted my arm and hit my hand, which made my phone fall,” Akwasi Agyei Annim told RSF. “They wouldn't let us out until we deleted the images. They blocked the exits, took us hostage,” he said. His camera is now dysfunctional and the screen on his phone is broken.
After police reinforcement arrived two hours later, the journalists went to the police station in the Asankrangwa district to give statements. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, later expressed his outrage at the attack.
This attack, the second in less than four months, illustrates the danger faced by journalists covering environmental issues in Ghana. Even under police escort, they are attacked and prevented from working on these subjects of public interest. The indignation of the authorities is not enough given the gravity of the situation. We call on these officials to translate their words into concrete action by making the protection and safety of journalists — especially environmental journalists — a priority.
The only suspect arrested so far, the alleged leader of the illegal miners, was arrested the day of the attack before being released on bail two days later. He will appear in court on 5 March.
Environmental journalists face serious risks in Ghana. Last October, RSF condemned the violent attack on Erastus Asare Donkor, Majid Alidu and Nicholas Suantah, journalists from the Multimedia Group Limited media group, while they were reporting on a mining site in the south of the country.
