As published by citinewsroom in a troubling event that has sent shockwaves across Ghana, a prominent journalist, Kwesi Ankomah, was abducted last Monday in what appears to be a targeted attack aimed at silencing his voice.
Ankomah, known for his fearless investigative reports covering political corruption, illegal mining, and human rights abuses, was last seen in Accra, the nation’s bustling capital, before he disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
The incident has highlighted the risks that Ghanaian journalists face, particularly those who expose uncomfortable truths.
According to eyewitnesses, Ankomah was accosted by a group of unidentified individuals late at night as he returned home from his office in Accra’s Ridge area.
Despite pleas from onlookers, the kidnappers forced him into an unmarked vehicle and sped off.
Local authorities and national security agencies have since launched a high-priority search across Ghana’s regions, from the Greater Accra region, where he was last seen, to neighboring regions such as the Eastern, Central, and Ashanti regions, which border the capital and could serve as potential hideouts.
Ankomah’s abduction has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society organizations, media outlets, and international human rights groups, all demanding his immediate release.
Several Ghanaian regions, such as the Northern Region, Upper West, and Upper East, have organized solidarity marches, calling on the government to intensify efforts to locate Ankomah and ensure justice is served.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has described the incident as “an assault on press freedom” and has urged law enforcement to leave no stone unturned in their investigation.
Journalism in Ghana, though considered among the freest in West Africa, faces significant challenges.
Reports indicate that journalists, especially investigative ones, have increasingly faced harassment, threats, and even violence in recent years.
Ankomah himself had reported receiving anonymous threats related to his investigative work on illegal mining activities in the Western Region, where mining has disrupted communities and the environment.
Many suspect that his abduction may be connected to these reports.
The impact of Ankomah’s abduction is being felt not only in Accra but across Ghana’s 16 regions, from Volta in the east to the Savannah and Bono regions in the north.
Ghanaian citizens are rallying together, demanding accountability and protection for the nation’s journalists, who play a crucial role in exposing corruption and advocating for justice.
The impact of Ankomah’s abduction is being felt not only in Accra but across Ghana’s 16 regions, from Volta in the east to the Savannah and Bono regions in the north.
Ghanaian citizens are rallying together, demanding accountability and protection for the nation’s journalists, who play a crucial role in exposing corruption and advocating for justice.
As the search for Kwesi Ankomah continues, the incident has sparked a nationwide conversation on the need to protect journalists and uphold press freedom in Ghana.
Source: m.dailyadvent.com
