Ghana's Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has emphasized the importance of a free press in holding the government accountable, stating that scrutiny is not disloyalty. Speaking at the launch of the Ghana Journalists Association's (GJA) 30th Media Awards, Debrah argued that rigorous oversight and critical reporting are essential for the country's development. He made these remarks as a Special Guest of Honour, in the presence of editors, diplomats, and government officials.
The event, held on 7 October 2026 at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, brought together government officials, media executives, and members of the diplomatic community. Debrah's remarks arrive at a particularly sensitive moment for relations between journalists and the state. The GJA is currently in a standoff with the Ghana Armed Forces, having given the military 14 days to explain a soldier's assault on a blogger during the demolition exercise at La Pleasure Beach.
The GJA's 14-day deadline to the military over the blogger assault remains pending, with no further timeline given. The military has not publicly responded to the allegations. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of journalists and bloggers reporting on government actions, including security operations. Debrah's acknowledgment that criticism is not disloyalty carries weight precisely because it comes from one of the most senior figures in government.
The question of where free expression ends has also been playing out in the courts. A Techiman nurse, Salomey Awiti Baffoe, was recently released on GH¢100,000 bail in the so-called 'Ghana Jollof' case, prompting commentary on the boundaries of speech. Presidential Staffer Felix Kwakye Ofosu waded into that debate, arguing that threatening to poison the President is not protected free speech.
Debrah's statement that "we may disagree with a headline or a conclusion, but disagreement is not hostility, and scrutiny is not disloyalty" was well-received by some. He emphasized that the relationship between the state and the media should be built on mutual accountability rather than suspicion. This message is crucial in ensuring that journalists can safely report on government actions without fear of physical harm or prosecution.
A nine-member Awards Committee, chaired by National Media Commission Commissioner and former Daily Graphic Editor Kobby Asmah, has been inaugurated to oversee the GJA's 30th Media Awards. The committee will ensure a transparent judging process running until 28 October 2026. The 30th GJA Media Awards ceremony itself is scheduled for 7 November 2026.
The National Media Commission (NMC), which chairs the new Awards Committee, is the constitutional body responsible for promoting press freedom and maintaining media standards in Ghana. The GJA's efforts to promote press freedom and accountability have been commended by many, including Debrah. The outcome of the Baffoe case and the GJA's standoff with the military remain pending, with many watching closely.
Key points
- Debrah urges journalists to scrutinize government, emphasizing it's not disloyalty.
- The GJA is in a standoff with the Ghana Armed Forces over a soldier's assault on a blogger.
- The 30th GJA Media Awards ceremony is scheduled for 7 November 2026.
