President Mahama has told his security details to be circumspect when dealing with the media, cautioning that they do not harass them but be gentle, as the two groups work to complement each other.

He issued the gentle advice when he touched down at the Koforidua Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) College of Education to take part in yesterday’s May Day celebration, in the Eastern Regional capital.

The president arrived at the institution from a military chopper together with the Chief of Staff Dr Julius Debrah as well as other government officials.

While walking to join a waiting convoy, he spotted one of his security guards trying to brush aside journalists there to give way to the President.

Immediately he saw the act, he hastily called the security man to order telling him to “Be gentle with the media people; don’t harass them”. He was also heard saying “Take your time, don’t harass the media people”.

The video of the incident has since gone viral on the internet with many applauding the President for his humility and selflessness. They praised his quite attentiveness and leadership.

Some social media users also recalled a similar gesture by his wife, Lordina Mahama, last year, when she cautioned another security man not to mishandle members of the public who accompanied her while she moved towards her vehicle after a church service.

In another video during the May Day celebration, the President was seen pulling a lady who was finding it difficult to get a spot for a group photograph, to stand in front of him so she does not miss out.

In the field of work, journalists come under attacks by security officers who try to shove them off. By nature of their work, journalists in the heat of the moment try to capture the best pictures, videos among others but this apparently also conflicts with the work of the security men and women.

The incident at the SDA College of Education, comes months after a deputy chief of staff, Stan Dogbe was bashed on the internet for pushing a military officer, who was covering the President, during a programme by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

 The incident was condemned by many Ghanaians some of whom even called for a punishment to be meted out to him. Dogbe, a very controversial figure, a onetime practicing journalist, later publicly unreservedly apologized for his unintended act.

By Gifty Boateng