Africa-Press – Ghana. Ghana’s standing in the World Press Freedom Index has improved from 62 to 50, according to the National President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Dwumfuor.
He attributed this progress to the decisive actions taken by the GJA leadership.
He made the remarks at the World Press Freedom Day event in Koforidua on May 3, 2024.
During his speech, the GJA National President condemned the recent attack on the offices of Class FM and called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
“The good news is that Ghana has moved from 62 to 50 on Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index. This is due to the GJA’s aggressive actions to defend journalistic freedom. This includes the blacklisting of some political figures whose supporters assaulted journalists and media outlets. On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the GJA is calling on the Ghana Police Service to expedite investigations into the petrol bomb attack and prosecute the perpetrators.
We believe the failure of the Police to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators would embolden others to commit such crimes, thinking that nothing would happen to them. Such impression will pose a great danger to the quest for national peace, especially as we prepare for Election 2024. We are aware these attacks are meant to intimidate journalists and the media but that will never happen,” The GJA President said.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day is on the theme, “Leveraging journalism for a sustainable environment and future.”
The GJA President urged the media to renew their campaign against illegal and irresponsible mining, emphasizing the importance of protecting the environment and ensuring a sustainable future.
“The GJA seeks to lead a strong media campaign for the protection of the environment and the good of the country. In that regard, we wish to call on the media to resume the concerted campaign against illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as ‘Galamsey’.
In the past, our collective action in the fight against ‘Galamsey’ yielded positive results, as we brought the issues to national attention for action. But for the retrogression in action by duty bearers, sanity would have prevailed, and our land and water bodies would have been healed by now. That notwithstanding, withdrawing from our duty, as we have done now, is more harmful to the nation.”
The US Press Attache Kevin Brosnahan bemoaned the rising incidence of attacks on journalists.
“Ghana fell for two consecutive years in the World Press Index, but I have heard it is on the rise. The drop was due to the following factors; high profile attacks and abuse of journalists. Still over the past few years, we have seen multiple invasion of media houses and physical attacks on journalists here in Ghana with serious consequences. ”
“We have also seen individuals affiliated with political party candidates accused of physical abuse of journalists. Let me be clear, physical attack, intimidation and threats against journalists are unacceptable. Ahmed Suale was murdered in Accra in 2019, five years have passed without justice for his family. It is past time for his loved ones to have closure,” he added.
The Minister of Information designate, Fatimatu Abubakar pledged government’s commitment to further improve the country’s press freedom ranking.
“I will also pledge our undying commitment to working towards effort to improve the various indicators used for the press freedom index, ie, social, political, legislature, economic and security indication. We have implemented a coordinated mechanism on the safety of journalist in collaboration with the National Media Commission. We have advocated for severe punishment by the judiciary for those who attack journalists and media houses,” she said.
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