The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called for urgent action following a surge in attacks, threats and intimidation against journalists across the country.
The Association said the incidents—allegedly involving police, fire and military personnel, as well as unidentified individuals—posed a serious threat to press freedom and undermined journalists’ ability to perform their duties without fear.
The concerns were raised at a press conference held yesterday in Accra by the President of the GJA, Mr Albert Dwumfour.
Mr Dwumfour welcomed the intervention of President John Dramani Mahama in the recent assault on a Class FM reporter, Mr Samuel Addo, particularly the interdiction of officers of the Ghana National Fire Service implicated in the Kasoa incident.
However, he expressed concern over the failure of the Fire Service leadership to publicly brief the nation on the outcome of its internal investigations, warning that continued silence could be interpreted as complicity.
He gave the Fire Service a 14-day ultimatum to release its findings and announce sanctions, while renewing the GJA’s call for the removal of the Service’s Public Relations Officer.
Mr Dwumfour also condemned the assault on UTV and Peace FM’s Eastern Regional Correspondent, Mr Michael Akrofi, who was allegedly attacked by a police officer at Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region while covering a farmers’ protest.
According to him, the journalist sustained injuries and sought medical attention but had yet to receive official feedback from the police, despite filing a formal report.
He further reported an unprovoked assault on the North East Regional Correspondent of Media General and Regional Secretary of the Association, Mr Solomon Kwame Kanaluwe, by military personnel in Walewale on January 26, 2026.
Mr Dwumfour said the journalist was beaten, briefly detained and had content deleted from his mobile phone. The GJA has called on the Military High Command to investigate the incident and sanction those responsible.
On the Bawku conflict, the GJA President expressed alarm over death threats and incitement against journalists in the Upper East Region and formally designated the area as an early warning zone for press safety.
He demanded sustained police protection for journalists, expedited investigations, and the prosecution of individuals issuing threats or inciting violence.
Mr Dwumfour also urged political parties, particularly the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to ensure the safety of journalists during the upcoming presidential primary, warning that attacks on media practitioners would be closely monitored and publicly reported.
While commending the Ghana Police Service for recent collaboration with the media, he cautioned that the latest incidents risk undermining these gains and called for decisive action against rogue officers.
Mr Dwumfour stressed that attacks on journalists amounted to attacks on Ghana’s democracy, vowing that the GJA would pursue accountability until justice was served.
By Stephanie Birikorang
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