The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has strongly condemned the brutal treatment of journalists, emphasizing that attacks on journalists are essentially attacks on democracy. Speaking at the 28th GJA Awards and 75th Anniversary in Accra on September 28, Dwumfour urged politicians to refrain from assaulting journalists ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Dwumfour’s plea comes at a critical time when Ghana’s ranking on the World’s Press Freedom Index has been declining due to attacks on the media by high-profile personalities and political parties ¹. Despite progress in reducing media brutality through measures like blacklisting perpetrators and collaborating with the Ministry of Information, concerns persist about ongoing physical assault, verbal abuse, cyberbullying, and harassment.
The GJA President emphasized that media abuse undermines fundamental rights to free expression and access to information. He encouraged Ghanaians to direct grievances to appropriate authorities, stressing that brute force should not be used to silence the media.
Dwumfour warned politicians that attacking media houses and journalists would undermine Ghana’s democracy. He praised progress made through stringent measures, including collaboration with the Ministry of Information.
The GJA President’s message was clear: attacks on journalists will not only harm individuals but also compromise democracy. He urged politicians to desist from attacking media houses and journalists doing their work.
Ghana’s press freedom ranking has declined due to attacks by high-profile individuals and political parties. The GJA’s efforts to address this issue include blacklisting perpetrators and capacity-building initiatives.
Dwumfour’s call to action emphasizes the importance of protecting journalists and promoting press freedom. By doing so, Ghana can safeguard its democratic values and ensure citizens’ access to information.
The GJA’s 28th Awards and 75th Anniversary celebration served as a platform for Dwumfour to address these critical issues. His message resonates with journalists, politicians, and citizens alike.
As Ghana approaches the 2024 general elections, Dwumfour’s warning serves as a timely reminder of the importance of press freedom and journalist safety.
