A routine assignment to document the aftermath of the Laboma Beach demolition turned frightening on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, after a Bullet TV journalist and two members of the Atinka TV crew were allegedly attacked while covering the exercise.
Bullet TV journalist Philip Abutiate, Atinka FM reporter Ohenenana Ofori Amanfo, and cameraman Bernard Gyamfi say they were physically assaulted by two security guards while filming from across the road after being denied access to the demolition site.
The journalists also allege that some of their equipment was damaged during the confrontation.
The incident, which occurred at about 10:30 a.m., has raised fresh concerns about the safety of journalists carrying out their professional duties, particularly when covering sensitive public-interest issues.
The team had gone to Laboma Beach to document developments following the demolition of structures said to be located within the protected buffer zone of the Kpeshie Lagoon.
After being denied entry into the site, the journalists positioned themselves across the road to continue their work.
However, according to the journalists, their decision to film from outside the demolition area did not prevent the confrontation, which they say quickly escalated into an alleged physical assault.
Philip Abutiate later recounted the incident, describing the ordeal and what happened to him and his colleagues while they were on assignment.
The alleged attack occurred days after the government’s Post-Flood Mitigating Task Force began demolishing structures at Laboma Beach with excavators and bulldozers.
The exercise has affected a number of businesses, including hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and other hospitality facilities, which authorities say are located within the protected buffer zone of the Kpeshie Lagoon.
The demolition has, however, triggered anger and questions from some affected business operators.
Some operators contend that their establishments did not obstruct the waterway and are questioning why other developments they claim are closer to or directly within the waterway remain standing.
The government, on the other hand, maintains that the demolition is necessary to protect waterways and prevent future flooding.
For the journalists involved, however, what began as an assignment to report on the demolition ended in a disturbing encounter that has once again placed the safety of media workers in the spotlight.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Mavis Fantevi
SOURCE: PHILIP BRIGHT ABUTIATE
