Ghanaian Journalist Attacked While Covering Public Toilet Collapse in Ashaiman

Journalist Augustine Ahiabor of Accra-based Angel FM was assaulted by unknown individuals while reporting on the collapse of a public toilet in Ashaiman, a suburb of Accra, on May 25, 2023.

Ahiabor had gone to Ashaiman Lebanon Zone 2 to cover the incident, which had trapped at least one person. As he filmed the aftermath, an elderly man confronted him, demanding that he stop recording and delete the footage. When Ahiabor identified himself as a journalist and showed his ID card, the situation escalated. The man’s son joined in, accusing the journalist of taking photos for financial gain.

A group of residents then attacked Ahiabor, hitting him in the back and stomach. His colleague from Atinka FM later revealed that one of the attackers attempted to strike him with a hammer but was restrained. Amid the chaos, Ahiabor’s phone was taken.

The Assemblyman for the area later retrieved the phone, but the younger assailant, claiming to be an IT technician, insisted the journalist accompany him home to have the device formatted.

The attack highlights the growing threats journalists face while performing their duties. Calls are mounting for the Ghana Police to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.