President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Dwumfour, has urged authorities and stakeholders to protect media practitioners and safeguard press freedom. He emphasized that journalists should not be treated as adversaries of the state. This call to action comes amid concerns over the safety and security of journalists in Ghana. The GJA has documented numerous cases of attacks, arrests, and harassment against journalists.
According to the GJA, more than 50 cases of attacks, arrests, and harassment involving journalists were recorded between 2022 and January 2026. This statistic highlights the challenges journalists face in discharging their duties. Despite Ghana's improved performance in global press freedom rankings, Mr. Dwumfour cautioned that the country's progress should not distract from the difficulties journalists encounter.
Ghana improved its position from 52nd in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index to 39th in the 2026 edition. However, the GJA President stressed that press freedom should be assessed not only by a country's ranking but also by the extent to which journalists can scrutinize those in authority and report without fear or intimidation.
Mr. Dwumfour emphasized that the true measure of press freedom is whether journalists can investigate corruption, question public officials, report on security operations, and hold powerful institutions accountable without intimidation or fear. He called for deliberate and sustained measures to tackle issues affecting media practitioners, including threats to their safety, financial insecurity, media independence, and professional development.
The GJA President made these remarks at the 30th GJA Media Awards in Accra. He maintained that the Association remains committed to protecting the progress made in press freedom while pushing for solutions to the challenges that persist. The GJA aims to consolidate gains and address persistent challenges.
The GJA has recorded over 50 incidents of attacks and harassment against journalists, highlighting the need for stronger safeguards to protect journalists and preserve media independence. Mr. Dwumfour's call to action underscores the importance of protecting media practitioners and ensuring a safe working environment for them.
The Ghana Journalists Association will continue to advocate for the protection of journalists and the preservation of press freedom. The Association's efforts aim to promote a safe and enabling environment for media practitioners to discharge their duties without fear or intimidation.
Key points
- The GJA has documented over 50 cases of attacks, arrests, and harassment involving journalists between 2022 and January 2026.
- Ghana improved its position from 52nd in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index to 39th in the 2026 edition.
- The GJA President emphasized that press freedom should be assessed by the extent to which journalists can scrutinize those in authority and report without fear or intimidation.
