The Eastern Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has strongly condemned the alleged assault of a journalist by a police officer during a farmers’ demonstration at Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Association said the victim, Michael Akrofi, Eastern Regional Correspondent of Peace 104.3 FM, was attacked while lawfully covering a protest by farmers over the destruction of their crops by Fulani herdsmen and their cattle.

According to the GJA, the journalist was allegedly attacked from behind by a police officer stationed at the Tafo-Kukurantumi Formed Police Unit (FPU).

The officer is said to have strangled Mr. Akrofi’s neck on three separate occasions and issued threats after the assault.

The Association said Mr. Akrofi later complained of severe pains in his neck, back, and waist, forcing him to seek medical attention at a health facility.

The incident has since been formally reported to the Eastern Regional Police Command, but the GJA noted that as of the time of issuing the statement, no official response had been communicated to the victim.

Describing the incident as “barbaric and unprofessional,” the GJA said the alleged assault constitutes a direct attack on press freedom and the constitutional rights of journalists to work without fear, intimidation, or violence.

The Association stressed that journalists play a critical role in keeping the public informed, particularly during sensitive situations such as demonstrations, and should be protected rather than attacked by security personnel.

The GJA has therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Eastern Regional Police Command to immediately investigate the incident and ensure that the officer involved is identified and sanctioned in accordance with the law.

The Association also urged for stronger collaboration and mutual respect between journalists and security agencies to prevent similar incidents in the future, warning that acts of impunity against media practitioners must not be tolerated.