The Sekondi District Command of the Ghana Police Service has explained circumstances that led to the alleged assault on sports journalist Solomon Amankwah at the Sekondi barracks on Monday, January 4.
The staff of Atinka Media Village in Sekondi had parked his car with registration number GE 1042-12 at the barracks but forgot to remove his ignition key.
He had parked his car without official notice to any officer.
According to a statement from the Command, Solomon Amankwa was later spotted searching for a piece of metal in an accident car parked at the police station apparently to use to open his car door.
But General Lance Corporal Prince Mensah of the Regional CID Operations and Intelligence Unit arrived at the scene and questioned Solomon Amankwa about his activities, warning him to leave, an order he defied.
The journalist was then arrested after minimum force and sent to the police station.
“We would like to state that inasmuch as a police station is a public place to which the public has unfettered access, no one has the right to interfere with any exhibit at the station, and certainly no one has the right to attempt to break into an accident vehicle for any purpose.
“It is appropriate to always seek the approval of the Police Officer on duty when intending to leave any personal property at the Police Station or conduct any personal business on the premises of the station.”
The Command assured the media and the general public of the key partnership between the media and the police in the promotion of peace and security as well as law and order “and therefore the Police will always strive to maintain that cordial relationship”.
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana