Speaking at the launch of the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards in Accra, the Minister said the directive has already led to a noticeable decline in attacks on media practitioners in recent months.

“In more recent times, we’ve not heard of such reports. That is because firm instructions have been issued to all state security agencies to reform the way in which they relate to the media and to show a bit more courtesy than they are doing at the moment.”

According to Mr Ofosu, the government remains fully committed to protecting journalists and ensuring that their work is respected.

“President Mahama and the government he leads are willing to work closely with the GJA to ensure that this unhealthy development is stopped and that it does not recur, even as we make progress to advance the frontiers of media freedom,” he said.

He, however, said that the government’s new policy direction was yielding results and called for a stronger partnership between the government and the media to consolidate gains in free expression.

The Minister acknowledged the critical role of the press in promoting transparency and holding leaders accountable.

“Without you, whatever it is that we do in government will not be known to the public. You are an important ally in governance, and it is through your efforts that the people of Ghana know how the mandates and resources they have entrusted to us are being used.”

He also admitted that the media landscape faces challenges, including poor working conditions, low remuneration, and financial constraints that hinder operations.

“Governments will continue to partner with media organisations to explore ways of improving these conditions,” he said.

“Our doors, as government, are open. I have a listening ear and an open-door policy. You can walk in at any time to share challenges or suggestions on how government can improve its relations with the media.”

Mr Kwakye Ofosu officially declared the 29th GJA Awards launched and inaugurated the planning committee, commending the Association for its innovation in turning the event into a more engaging experience.

President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, in his remarks, urged journalists to remain firm, impartial, and responsible in their reportage, particularly on issues relating to security and the environment.

“Ghana stands at a crossroads. We face threats of environmental degradation, social discord, and misinformation.

“The menace of illegal mining continues to ravage our lands and poison our rivers, threatening not only our natural heritage but the very survival of our people.”

He revealed that this year’s awards theme, “Safeguarding Ghana’s Future: The Role of the Media in Promoting Peace, Security, and the Fight Against Galamsey,” reflects the country’s most pressing challenges.

“Peace and security, the cornerstones of our national stability, are tested daily by division, extremism, and disinformation. It is within this context that the media must rise firm, fearless, and fair as custodians of truth and conscience,” he said.

Source: Myjoyonline 

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These incidents have predominantly involved sympathizers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who were implicated in three of the nine cases of attacks recorded.

A statement issued by the GJA on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, observed annually on November 2, highlights the increased risk for journalists.

The statement, signed by GJA General Secretary Kofi Yeboah, also notes that unknown assailants were responsible for another three attacks, with the Greater Accra region registering the highest number of four cases.

The forms of violence documented include physical assaults, gunpoint threats, petrol bombings, and cyberattacks, all of which have contributed to an increasingly hazardous environment for media professionals and weakened media freedom in Ghana.

Among the alarming incidents are the gunpoint attack on Joy FM’s Erastus Asare Donkor in October, allegedly by operatives associated with Edelmetallum Mining Resources Limited; a petrol bomb attack on Class FM in April; and a major cyberattack that took down The Fourth Estate, an investigative platform under the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), following a report on corruption at the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat.

Disturbingly, none of these cases has been resolved, with limited progress reported on police investigations or arrests.

This lack of accountability, according to the GJA, undermines the safety of media professionals and emboldens future attacks.

“We demand justice for these victims and urge law enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators face appropriate penalties for their crimes,” the GJA statement asserted.

The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists aims to draw attention to the dangers facing journalists worldwide.

This year’s theme, “Safety of journalists in crises and emergencies,” highlights the current pressures facing Ghanaian media, including environmental threats from illegal mining (galamsey), political tensions within Parliament, and the upcoming election season. The GJA warns that these factors create conditions ripe for potential attacks on journalists.

It is therefore urging the Ghana Police Service to provide additional security to media workers covering such sensitive issues and to treat cases involving attacks on journalists with urgency, especially considering the crucial role the media will play in the upcoming elections.

In addition to police support, the GJA is also calling on the public to recognize the essential role journalists play in informing and protecting the interests of society.

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The President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour on Thursday, January 25 directed all media houses to cease all forms of media coverage on the MP after an attack on a journalist during the vetting of New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirants in Cape Coast.

But in a statement issued by her Press Secretary, Kabore Awudu Moro, the Awutu Senya East MP expressed deep concern about the ongoing issue as she “vehemently denies all accusations leveled against her and her associates”.

“Acknowledging the vital role of the media in our democracy, the Minister said she is committed to fostering an environment that safeguards journalists in their duty,” the statement added.

The Minister also mentioned that she believes the Ghana Police Service to conduct further investigations into the matter to apprehend the alleged attackers.

The statement also mentioned the Minister’s intention to initiate a dialogue with the GJA leadership in the coming days to address any misunderstandings and foster a constructive relationship between her and the media.

READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW:

Press Release – Urgent Announcement

The Office of the Honourable Minister for Fisheries & Aquaculture Development and Member of Parliament for the Awutu Senya East Constituency expresses deep concern regarding the recent decision by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to blacklist any activities involving the Honourable Minister due to an alleged attack on a journalist during the NPP’s parliamentary aspirants’ vetting in Cape Coast.

While unequivocally condemning the reported incident, the Honorable Minister vehemently denies all accusations levelled against her and her associates.

Acknowledging the vital role of the media in our democracy, the Minister is committed to fostering an environment that safeguards journalists in their duty.

The Honourable Minister urges the GJA leadership to reconsider the blacklisting decision, emphasizing the absence of evidence implicating her in the incident.

The Minister calls for trust in the Ghana Police Service’s ongoing investigation to apprehend the alleged attacker.

In the spirit of collaboration, the Office of the Honourable Minister will initiate a dialogue with the GJA leadership in the coming days to address any misunderstandings and chart a way forward, fostering a constructive relationship between the Minister and the media.

End!

Kabore, Awudu Moro

Press Secretary to Hon. MAVIS HAWA KOOMSON

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Speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe, the minister emphasised the need for more severe punishment to serve as a deterrent to individuals involved in such acts.

“Of course, nobody is excited about the cases that have come up, we’re more worried that the trend is actually increasing, and we think a somewhat severity in terms of punishment will help deter persons who do this,” he said on Sunday.

Highlighting the components of the mechanism put in place to tackle the issue, Mr Oppong-Nkrumah said the government ensures swift reporting of the incidents to the police and publicly condemns the acts to bring attention to their severity.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah emphasized the necessity for law enforcement agencies to prosecute offenders rigorously, with the judiciary ensuring that severe punishments are meted out.

Acknowledging the need for accountability, the Information Minister disclosed that engagements were ongoing with the police and the Ghana Armed Forces, with a scheduled accountability meeting before the end of the year.

The meeting, according to him, aims “to give account for all the cases that we’ve reported to them in the past.”

“Also at the end of the year, they [enforcers] have to publish a report that shows what the nation is doing about all of this.”

The Minister underscored the government’s commitment to transparency by briefing Parliament on the actions taken to address assaults on journalists.

He also urged Parliament to exercise its oversight function and facilitate engagement with the judicial service to ensure effective enforcement of punitive actions against perpetrators.

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According to him, there has been a distressing trend where cases reported to the police and presented in courts have stalled without visible progress.

“The phenomenon of attacks and intimidation of journalists is gaining notoriety in our republic. Data available to the Ministry of Information suggests that the trend is ascending. Increasingly, various actors in our society – state actors, non-state actors, political party operatives, assigns of businesses and everyday citizens are resorting to attacks and intimidation of journalists as a means of expressing their displeasure,” the Information Minister said.

During his presentation in Parliament on Wednesday, November 8, Mr Nkrumah expressed concern over the growing prevalence of attacks targeting journalists.

He underscored his ministry’s efforts to safeguard journalists and urged other relevant bodies to fulfill their responsibilities in protecting the press.

Regarding investigations into specific incidents, the Information Minister referenced his outfit’s involvement in probing an attack on a journalist affiliated with Accra-based Citi FM.

According to him, the report by the office determined that the handling of the journalist was excessive and unprofessional.

He further outlined that these findings led to the dissolution of the SWAT teams under the National Security Ministry, with officers returning to their respective agencies.

“Other incidents of reported attacks on journalists have also been investigated by the office, with findings conveyed to security and prosecutorial agencies for action,” Mr Nkrumah indicated.

Expressing regret over the limited success of the accountability mechanism, Mr Nkrumah stressed the crucial need to hold investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial bodies responsible for addressing reported incidents.

“The need to hold the investigative, prosecutorial and judicial agencies accountable for the incidents reported to them cannot be over-emphasised. Holding the judiciary and prosecution accountable on a sustained basis must be the norm,” he said.

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