On 15 September 2026, private security personnel allegedly assaulted journalists Philip Abutiate of Bullet TV, Ohenenana Ofori Amanfo of Atinka FM and cameraman Bernard Gyamfi while they were covering the demolition of structures at Laboma Beach in Accra. The journalists had travelled to the site to report on the demolition exercise being undertaken as part of a government operation to clear structures within the protected buffer zone of the Kpeshie Lagoon. After being denied access to the premises by security personnel, the journalists moved across the road to continue filming when two men reportedly approached them and ordered them to stop recording.
According to Abutiate, one of the men grabbed him by the neck, shoved him, smashed his microphone to the ground, seized equipment belonging to the cameraman and attempted to take his mobile phone. He explained that he was pushed onto the road and grabbed by the neck during the confrontation. Recounting the incident, he stated: “I was fortunate there was no oncoming vehicle. I could have been knocked down.” He also described the attack as “a violent and unprovoked attack” on a journalist performing his professional duty. The alleged assailants also attempted to seize the phone of Amanfo, who had recorded part of the confrontation from a distance. Equipment used in covering the story was reportedly damaged during the incident.
The Media Foundation for West Africa condemened the attack, describing it as serious violations of press freedom and the public’s right to information. Similarly, the GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour stated that “the safety of journalists is not a favour. It is a fundamental requirement for the protection of press freedom and the survival of our democracy. An attack on the media is an attack on our democracy.” Both organisations warned that attacks on journalists undermine media freedom, public accountability and the constitutional right of citizens to access information.