Former Information Minister and Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has urged the Ghanaian government to take concrete measures to address attacks, threats, and intimidation against journalists. Speaking in connection with the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah emphasized that protecting journalists requires more than public assurances of press freedom. He stressed that practical measures must be put in place to ensure media practitioners can perform their duties without fear of violence, harassment, or intimidation.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah noted that attacks on journalists remain a threat to press freedom and the broader democratic space. He observed that efforts to undermine freedom of expression extend beyond physical attacks on journalists to include arrests, detentions, and other measures that could discourage individuals from expressing critical opinions. The former minister expressed concern about developments in Ghana over the past year, citing instances of trumped-up charges, arrests, and detentions involving individuals over statements they were alleged to have made.
The former Information Minister recalled the Coordinated Mechanism on the Safety of Journalists, established through the National Media Commission (NMC) during his tenure as Minister for Information. The mechanism was designed to provide a framework for reporting, documenting, and following up on incidents involving threats and attacks against journalists. It aimed to strengthen collaboration between relevant institutions, particularly the Ghana Police Service, to ensure that reported cases were investigated and perpetrators held accountable.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah urged the current administration not to become complacent due to perceived goodwill from sections of the public or the apparent silence of some civil society organizations. He emphasized that governments have a continuing responsibility to protect the rights of citizens, including those who express dissenting or critical views. Freedom of expression, he stressed, remains fundamental to democratic governance.
The Ofoase-Ayirebi MP expressed concern that the Coordinated Mechanism on the Safety of Journalists was not receiving sufficient attention to sustain its objectives. He urged the current administration to ensure that it did not become inactive, as this would undermine efforts to address attacks against journalists. Mr. Oppong Nkrumah also noted that the media landscape had evolved significantly, particularly with the expansion of digital platforms.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah maintained that protecting journalists should be treated as a shared national responsibility involving government, law enforcement agencies, media organizations, civil society groups, and the general public. He called for the country's press freedom and journalists' safety interventions to reflect the changing nature of journalism and the increasing number of people participating in public communication.
Key points
- The former Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has called on the government to revive and strengthen the Coordinated Mechanism on the Safety of Journalists.
- Mr. Oppong Nkrumah emphasized that protecting journalists requires practical measures beyond public assurances of press freedom.
- The former minister expressed concern about developments in Ghana, citing instances of trumped-up charges, arrests, and detentions involving individuals over statements they were alleged to have made.
