The Christian Council of Ghana has condemned the attack on 2023 Journalist of the Year, Erastus Asare Donkor and his crew by some thugs protecting miners at Asumenya in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region.
Calling for the immediate arrest of the said brutes numbering over 10, the Council deemed the attack as an affront to press freedom, public safety and democratic principles.
“The Christian Council of Ghana unequivocally condemns the violent assault on journalist Erastus Asare Donkor and his colleagues while they were performing their duties in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region,” it said in a statement issued on October 30.
It continued, “The Council is therefore deeply disturbed by reports that armed thugs, allegedly acting under the orders of Edelmetallum Mining Resources Limited, carried out this heinous act to silence the voices exposing environmental damage. Such an attack not only endangers the lives of journalists but also threatens the public’s right to information and the nation’s fight against illegal mining.
“We commend the swift action taken by the Ghana Police Service in arresting some suspects linked to the incident and urge a full and comprehensive investigation to ensure that all perpetrators and those behind the attack are brought to justice without delay. Justice must be served to affirm the protection of journalists and reinforce Ghana’s commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law.”
The Council further called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minerals Commission (MC) to urgently investigate the operations of the mining company given the serious allegations of environmental harm with an immediate suspension of the company’s activities in consideration.
Erastus alongside his driver and other crew members were subjected to physical assault by the brutes during a visit to Asumenya to take coverage of the devastating impact of illegal mining activities on the environment.
Recounting his ordeal in an interview, he said all their footage was deleted from their devices.
Source:opemsuo.com