NMAG condemns reported assault on new media practitioner during La Beach demolition

The New Media Association of Ghana (NMAG) has condemned the reported assault of a new media practitioner during a demolition exercise at La Pleasure Beach in Accra.

The incident occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, when members of the new media community and other journalists were at the location to cover and document the demolition exercise.

According to NMAG, military personnel physically confronted and struck one of its members, Kwaku Dennis Sika, popularly known as Sika Official, while directing media practitioners to move away from the area.

The Association said footage from the scene circulating publicly appears to show the incident and has raised concerns about the manner in which some media practitioners were treated during the operation.

NMAG said it has urged Sika Official to visit the nearest health centre to receive medical attention for any injuries he may have sustained during the reported incident.

While acknowledging the role of security personnel in maintaining order, protecting lives and property, and enforcing security measures during sensitive operations, NMAG said physical force against a media practitioner carrying out legitimate professional duties was unacceptable.

The Association also acknowledged that there may be circumstances where access to particular areas must be restricted for safety or operational reasons.

However, it stressed that such restrictions must be communicated and enforced professionally.

“Bloggers, online journalists and content creators should not be subjected to physical assault simply because they are documenting an event of public interest,” NMAG said.

The Association called on the Ghana Armed Forces, particularly personnel deployed for operations of this nature, to exercise professionalism, restraint and respect when engaging with members of the New Media Association of Ghana and the media at large.

NMAG further said that whenever media practitioners are required to move away from a restricted area, clear instructions should be issued and appropriate security procedures followed.

It stressed that physical violence should not be used as a means of controlling or managing media coverage.

The Association has also called on the appropriate authorities within the Ghana Armed Forces to conduct a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the incident and take appropriate action if any personnel are found to have acted outside established professional standards.

NMAG further urged security agencies responsible for future operations to establish clear arrangements for media access and communication.

According to the Association, such arrangements would allow security personnel to perform their duties effectively while enabling media practitioners to carry out their responsibilities safely.

NMAG noted that the growth of Ghana’s digital media industry means bloggers, online journalists and content creators are increasingly covering major national events, public exercises and issues of significant public interest.

It said these practitioners have therefore become an important part of Ghana’s contemporary media landscape.

The Association said it would continue to advocate for the safety, dignity and professional recognition of its members while encouraging them to conduct themselves responsibly and comply with legitimate security instructions when covering sensitive operations.

NMAG maintained that the work of security agencies and the media can coexist, provided there is clear communication, professionalism, mutual respect and adherence to established procedures.

The Association also said it remains open to constructive engagement with the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Journalists Association and other relevant stakeholders to develop practical measures that will promote safer and more professional interactions between security personnel and new media practitioners.

The statement was signed by NMAG President Eugene Osafo-Nkansah and dated October 2, 2026.