The investigation into an attack on Joy News journalist Erastus Asare Donkor and his colleagues, who were ambushed by armed illegal miners in the Ashanti Region, appears to be losing momentum over two weeks since the incident occurred. Erastus, a dedicated environmental journalist, was reporting on illegal mining activities in a protected forest area when he and his team were confronted by miners who seized their equipment, including a drone, tablets, and SD cards.
Although Erastus promptly reported the incident to local authorities, progress in the case has been slow. On Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on November 4, he voiced his frustration over the delayed response from the police, who have yet to make significant strides in holding the attackers accountable.
“There is not much information. I have been contacting the district police commander, and he keeps telling me that they have taken the case to court and that the court is yet to give them a date for the hearing,” Erastus revealed.
Despite the perpetrators being granted bail, no further action has been taken to pursue justice for Erastus and his colleagues, nor have the seized items been returned. According to Erastus, repeated inquiries about the confiscated equipment have yielded little response from the authorities, who promised to recover the stolen items but have not followed through.
A critical point of concern raised by Erastus was the silence of the leadership of the Ghana Police Service, which has yet to make a public statement on the attack. This perceived inaction has raised questions among the public, who are increasingly concerned about the safety of journalists reporting on sensitive issues such as illegal mining, or “galamsey,” in Ghana.
According to the 1992 Constitution, individuals arrested in Ghana should be brought before a court within 48 hours, ensuring prompt legal proceedings. However, despite the constitutional mandate, there has been no notable progress in this case.
