The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has strongly condemned the recent brutal assault on Erastus Asare Donkor, an award-winning journalist with the Multimedia Group, and his colleagues while they were on assignment. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the GJA called for the immediate prosecution of all individuals involved in the attack.
The incident occurred last Sunday in Asumenya, a community in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region, where the journalists were investigating environmental destruction caused by illegal mining activities. The crew, led by Erastus Asare Donkor, was documenting the devastating impact of mining operations linked to Edelmetallum Mining Resources Limited.
According to the GJA, the team was accosted by armed men allegedly protecting the mining site, who forcibly seized their equipment and transported them to a remote forest. The journalists were subjected to a brutal assault, leaving Erastus with severe injuries, including swollen eyes and ear trauma. The attackers were reportedly acting on orders from the owner of Edelmetallum Mining Resources Limited, Adelaide Tettey, a shareholder of the company.
The GJA has also called for the suspension of Edelmetallum Mining Resources Limited’s operating license, citing concerns over the environmental damage caused by their operations. The Association urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minerals Commission (MC) to immediately investigate the company’s activities.
The Multimedia crew reported the incident to the Manso Edubia Police Station and later received medical treatment at Agroyesum Hospital. Since then, the police have arrested three suspects linked to the attack. The GJA has praised law enforcement for their swift action but emphasized the need for all perpetrators to be brought to justice.
The GJA’s statement reflects growing concerns over the safety of journalists in Ghana and calls for greater protection and accountability in cases of violence against the press.