The US Embassy says it is investigating reports of a brutal assault of a Ghanaian journalist by its security personnel. The journalist, Ferdinand Adjei, had stopped his car in front of the embassy to allow a colleague to alight. Security officers of Intercon, an American-owned company, guarding the embassy rushed on him, seized his car keys and allegedly assaulted him.

According to Mr. Adjei, the security officers slapped and punched him. They also hit him in the back of his knee forcing him to kneel on the ground while they handcuffed him.

Reacting to the reports, the Information Officer of the US Embassy Mary Dashback told JOY FM that investigations had been launched into the matter. She however was quick to add that increased security measures at the US Embassy had not only been prompted by the September 11 attacks on the US.

Ms. Dashback asked members of the public with complaints about maltreatment by the security guards to report them to the security department of the Embassy for action to be taken.