Mahama’s 100 Days: Mustapha Gbande’s claim no journalist has been attacked false

On Sunday, April 20, 2025, Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, Mustapha Gbande, appeared on TV3’s Hot Issues Programme.

His discussions centred on the first 100 days of President John Mahama’s administration and what it has been able to achieve. 

He commended the President for swiftly assembling his government within two weeks and praised the administration’s determination to reduce the cost of living by improving the country’s economic conditions.

Mr Gbande, who also serves as the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), further claimed that the government has already taken bold steps in the fight against corruption and illegal mining within a short period.

He argued that these actions are clear indications that the government is committed to delivering on its promises over the next four years.

According to Mr. Gbande, the Ghanaian environment has been conducive across all sectors, noting that not even a single journalist was attacked during the first 100 days of President Mahama’s administration.

Fact-Check Ghana has verified this claim and presents its findings below.

Claim: “In the first One Hundred Days, a journalist has not been attacked. That was not the case under [sic] President Akufo-Addo”

Verdict: False

Explanation: Contrary to Mr Gbande’s claim, Fact-Check Ghana’s review of media reports and data from the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s freedom of expression monitor shows that at least 14 journalists were attacked in the first quarter of 2025 alone. This is after the new Mahama administration took office on January 7, 2025.

Though MFWA’s 2025 Q1 Freedom of Expression Report is yet to be published, Fact-Check Ghana independently confirmed four major incidents of press attacks between February 2 to 13, 2025, all under the new administration:

February 2, 2025 – Nsoatre, Bono Region:

Four journalists were assaulted during violent scenes at a Ghana Premier League match between Nsoatreman and Asante Kotoko.

February 11, 2025 – Kumasi, Ashanti Region:

Five journalists from GhanaWeb, Angel FM, Oyerepa TV, Oseikrom Dawuro, and Lawson FM/TV were attacked during chaos at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council during the Council of State elections. Thugs destroyed ballot materials before turning on journalists.

February 12, 2025 – Wassa Amenfi West, Western Region:

Journalists from Citi TV/FM, Angel TV/FM, and Rok FM were assaulted by illegal miners while filming environmental damage in a forest reserve.

February 13, 2025 – Walewale, North East Region:

Two journalists from Asaase Radio and Zaa Multimedia were beaten by soldiers while covering an arson incident. Despite showing their press IDs, they were whipped with wire cables.

From the above, Mustapha Gbande’s claim that no journalist has been attacked in the first 100 days of President John Mahama’s administration is completely false. Indeed, journalists have been attacked multiple times within the first 100 days of the Mahama administration.