The Ghana Police Service has apologised to journalists who were harassed and prevented from entering the courtroom when the Head Pastor of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International, Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah, and four others, appeared in court on Monday, September 13, 2021.
The acting Director-General of the Service, ACP Kwesi Ofori, in a statement indicated that a team is currently studying the footage of the alleged assault of some journalists to identify the alleged perpetrators for immediate prosecution.
He also gave the assurance that the situation will not repeat itself.
“We apologise unreservedly for this inconvenience and wish to give the assurance that journalists will be fully protected and allowed to do their work at all times, including the subsequent coverage of this case.”
“We will continue to do everything possible to deepen the cordial Police-Media relationship.”
There was drama at the Circuit Court in Accra when the Head pastor of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International, Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah, arrived for a hearing on Monday.
- Killing of international journalist: Mahama calls for urgent solution to highway robberies
- Multimedia Group petitions authorities over threats on journalist’s life
Some of his church members who accompanied him tried to stop journalists from filming his arrival.
Using insults and jostling, they tried to disperse the media outside the court.
They also tried to stop the media from entering the courtroom, which sparked a confrontation.
Police officers at the premises subsequently denied journalists access into the courtroom.
Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah and four others were arrested after the circulation of multiple videos containing threats, and the brandishing of a weapon, and the assault of some police personnel.
