The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has documented more than 50 cases of attacks, assaults, arrests, threats and harassment involving journalists in Ghana between 2022 and January 2026, raising fresh concerns about press freedom and the safety of media practitioners.
GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, disclosed the figures at the Association’s 30th Media Awards ceremony in Accra, where he called on government and security agencies to strengthen measures to protect journalists and ensure that perpetrators of attacks are held accountable.
According to Dwumfour, five incidents involving journalists were recorded in January 2026 alone, with three allegedly involving personnel of state security agencies.
He expressed concern that media practitioners continued to experience intimidation, threats and physical assaults while carrying out their professional responsibilities, particularly when reporting on sensitive issues involving public officials, security operations and influential institutions.
“While celebrating progress, we cannot ignore the attacks and threats confronting journalists,” he stated.
GJA Highlights Attacks on Journalists Across Ghana
Among the incidents highlighted by the GJA were attacks on journalists covering the Council of State elections, suspected illegal mining activities in the Western Region, security operations in Bawku and Walewale, as well as demolition exercises at Labadi and Laboma beaches in Accra.
The Association also cited the alleged assault of three journalists by police officers in April 2025 and an attack on media practitioners at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in May 2025.
Another reported incident involved Class FM journalist Samuel Addo, who was allegedly assaulted by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service in 2026.
The GJA further mentioned the alleged assault of Obrempongba Benjamin Kwame Owusu, a journalist with Adom News, Adom TV and Adom FM, by military personnel enforcing a curfew in Nkwanta South in the Oti Region.
Although Dwumfour acknowledged that arrests and disciplinary actions had been undertaken in some cases, he stressed that such measures must be supported by transparent investigations and appropriate sanctions or prosecution whenever sufficient evidence is established.
“Our responsibility is to consolidate the gains and address persistent challenges, including journalist safety,” he added.
GJA Calls on Police and Security Agencies to Protect Journalists
The GJA President urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Police Administration to treat attacks on journalists as serious criminal offences.
He proposed the establishment of a dedicated police focal point to receive complaints from journalists, monitor reported cases and provide regular updates on investigations.
Dwumfour also called on the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana National Fire Service, National Security and other security institutions to cooperate fully with investigations, preserve relevant evidence and take disciplinary action against personnel found responsible for attacking media practitioners.
He emphasised that individuals should not escape accountability because of their uniforms, military or police ranks, political affiliations or positions in public office.
“No individual should be shielded from accountability because of their uniform, rank, political affiliation or public position,” he stated.
GJA Demands National Journalist Safety Framework
The Association also renewed its call for the introduction of a comprehensive national journalist safety framework to protect media professionals against attacks, intimidation and harassment.
The proposed framework would include a rapid response mechanism to provide emergency assistance, legal representation, medical treatment and psychological support to journalists who suffer attacks while performing their professional duties.
Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Professor Amin Alhassan, supported the call for stronger protection of journalists, urging the police to expedite investigations and ensure the speedy determination of cases involving attacks on media practitioners.
He observed that several reported cases remained unresolved and called on the relevant state institutions to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
NMC Warns Political Tensions Could Threaten Press Freedom
Meanwhile, Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission (NMC), George Sarpong, warned that growing economic pressures and political tensions could increase the risks faced by journalists in Ghana.
He called for stronger cooperation between media organisations, industry stakeholders and state institutions to identify potential threats and address them before they develop into serious incidents.
The GJA maintains that protecting journalists is critical to safeguarding press freedom, promoting democratic accountability and strengthening Ghana’s media industry.
The Association insists that journalists must be able to investigate public-interest issues, report on government activities and perform their professional responsibilities without fear of violence, intimidation or unlawful interference.
Source: newsthemegh.com