The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) has unanimously selected Ghana to host its 6th Continental Congress, following a successful bid by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA). The Congress, which will take place in Ghana, will bring together affiliated journalists' unions and associations from across Africa to determine FAJ's programme and priorities, elect its leadership for the next mandate, and engage with solidarity organisations and cooperating partners.
The decision to host the Congress in Ghana was made during a two-day meeting of the FAJ Steering Committee in Accra, held from September 17 to 18, 2026. The Committee considered the bid submitted by the GJA and praised Ghana's ability to host high-profile events. The Congress is expected to address growing challenges facing African journalists, including attacks on media freedom, violations of journalists' labour rights, and increasing economic pressures on journalists and media organisations.
The FAJ Steering Committee, during its meeting in Accra, called for stronger collective action to defend journalists' rights and safeguard journalism across the continent. FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman emphasised the need for a stronger and better-organised response to the growing attacks on journalists, restrictions on their freedoms, labour rights violations, and economic insecurity. He also highlighted the importance of professional journalism, media and information literacy, and sustained efforts to protect information integrity.
Ghana's role in promoting media freedom and a safer environment for journalists was also discussed during the meeting. FAJ leaders met with President John Dramani Mahama to discuss media freedom, the safety of journalists, information integrity, and the role of independent and quality journalism in Africa's democratic and development agenda. Ghana was encouraged to play a leading role in continental efforts to strengthen media freedom and promote a safer environment for journalists.
The GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, highlighted the welfare and working conditions of journalists, calling for practical measures to improve their safety and professional security, as well as closer cooperation among journalists and media organisations. The FAJ Steering Committee also approved the Federation's financial and independent audit reports, admitted four new journalists' organisations to membership, and adopted a new communication strategy to increase the voice and visibility of the Pan-African journalists' movement.
The successful bid means Ghana will now host the 6th FAJ Continental Congress, with preparations expected to form part of the Federation's work in the coming months. The Congress is expected to provide a platform for African journalists to discuss the challenges facing the profession and to develop strategies to address them. The event will also provide an opportunity for Ghana to showcase its commitment to promoting media freedom and a safer environment for journalists.
The FAJ Continental Congress will bring together journalists and media organisations from across Africa to discuss key issues affecting the profession. Key issues to be discussed include media freedom, journalists' rights, and the role of independent and quality journalism in Africa's democratic and development agenda. The Congress will also provide a platform for journalists to network and share best practices in journalism.
Key points
- Ghana has won the bid to host the 6th Continental Congress of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ).
- The Congress will address growing challenges facing African journalists, including attacks on media freedom and violations of journalists' labour rights.
- The event will provide a platform for African journalists to discuss key issues affecting the profession and develop strategies to address them.
