President John Dramani Mahama has strongly condemned the reported manhandling of journalist by members of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

He described the conduct as unacceptable and made it clear that such actions will not be tolerated.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the final four deputy ministers, completing the 60-member ministerial team he promised during his campaign, President Mahama announced that he had ordered a full investigation into the incident.

He said he expected appropriate disciplinary action to be taken against those found responsible.

The president also revealed that he had asked the leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to design a programme to help orient security personnel, so they come to regard the media not as adversaries, but as partners in national development.

Read: GAF investigates 'inappropriate conduct' against journalist, civilian by soldiers at Spintex

In his address, President Mahama called on the newly sworn-in deputy ministers to serve with sincerity and accountability. He reminded them that they were now part of a team tasked with restoring Ghana’s economic and institutional foundations. More importantly, they were now custodians of the strength, trust, and expectations of the Ghanaian people, he charged.

He emphasised that the ministerial mandate was not a ceremonial role but a solemn duty. Ministers, he said, must lead with humility, honesty, diligence, and a strong sense of responsibility. Ghana, he added, did not need leaders who were inaccessible, arrogant, or aloof but leaders who listen, who act, and who deliver.