Gifty Boateng
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfourhas has called for thorough investigations and prosecution of persons responsible for attacks on journalists in Ghana, warning that failure to hold perpetrators accountable threatens press freedom and democracy.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, November 2, 2026, to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the GJA President said more than 50 journalists had been attacked, assaulted, arrested, threatened or harassed between 2022 and January 2026.
He disclosed that five attacks were recorded in January 2026 alone, three of which allegedly involved state security personnel.
Among the incidents cited were the assault of journalists covering the Council of State elections in the Ashanti Region and suspected illegal mining activities in the Western Region in February 2025.
Other cases included the alleged assault of three Ghanaian Times journalists by police officers in April 2025, the assault of JoyNews journalist Latif Iddrisu at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in May 2025, and attacks on journalists covering the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun.
The Association also cited incidents involving journalists reporting on security developments in Bawku and Walewale, as well as the alleged assault of Class FM journalist Samuel Addo by fire service personnel at Kasoa in 2026.
Additional incidents included the assault of Adom News journalist Benjamin Kwame Owusu, also known as Obrempong, during the NPP constituency elections in Nkwanta South, allegedly by military personnel enforcing a curfew.
The GJA President further mentioned attacks on Bullet TV journalist Philip Abutiate during the demolition exercise at Laboma Beach and journalist Kweku Dennis Sika during a similar exercise at Breeze Beach in Accra, allegedly involving personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces.
He stressed that attacks on journalists must not be treated as isolated incidents, insisting that every reported case must be investigated and those found culpable brought to justice, regardless of their rank, political affiliation or public position.
Although the Association acknowledged arrests and disciplinary measures in some cases, he said such actions must result in transparent investigations, appropriate sanctions and prosecution where the evidence warrants it.
The GJA is therefore urging the Inspector-General of Police and the police administration to treat attacks on journalists as serious offences and establish a dedicated focal point to handle journalist safety complaints.
It also called on the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana National Fire Service, National Security and other security institutions to cooperate fully with investigations and sanction personnel found responsible for misconduct.
The Association further appealed to government, the Attorney-General and prosecutorial authorities to prioritise cases involving attacks on journalists, while urging the judiciary to ensure their fair and timely determination.
It also renewed its call for a national journalist safety framework, a rapid response mechanism and the relaunch of its general support fund to provide emergency, legal, medical and psychological assistance to journalists who suffer attacks.
The GJA President explained that the existing fund, launched about four years ago, had been exhausted. He announced plans to relaunch it with a five-member board of trustees responsible for its management.
Concerns Over Abuses In Schools
Beyond attacks on journalists, the GJA President expressed concern over what he described as growing cases of abuse and impunity within Ghana’s educational institutions.
He condemned allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi Senior High School and called for swift investigations by the relevant authorities.
The Association referenced an investigative report by JoyNews which detailed allegations by current and former female students of sexual abuse and coercion by the school’s interdicted headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, over a two-year period.
While acknowledging that Mr Abdulai had been interdicted and had stepped aside from his political ambitions, the GJA President insisted that those developments were not enough.
He called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to which the former headmaster belongs, to invoke its internal disciplinary procedures and take appropriate action against him, without waiting for the conclusion of external investigations.
The Association also commended JoyNews for its investigative work and pledged to continue monitoring the matter and updating the public.
In another development, the GJA condemned the reported assault of a 17-year-old student by two teachers at Techiman Senior High School.
The President described the incident as disturbing and called on the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to intervene urgently to address what he said were growing concerns about student safety in schools.
He said parents should be able to send their children to school without living in fear over their safety.
The Association noted that the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Education Service had initiated investigations into the Techiman incident and arrested the two teachers.
It said it would closely monitor the investigations and keep the public informed about developments in both cases.
30th GJA Media Awards
At the same press conference, the GJA announced preparations for its 30th Media Awards, scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2026.
The awards, which celebrate excellence in journalism and media practice, will be held under the theme: “Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age.”
The Association disclosed that it received 327 entries from 206 applicants for this year’s awards.
The awards committee, chaired by veteran journalist Kofi Asare, was commended for its work in assessing the entries and selecting the nominees.
The GJA President clarified that those announced were nominees and not winners, explaining that the ultimate winners would only be known at the awards ceremony.
He also appealed to corporate organisations, institutions and individuals who had pledged support for the event to redeem their commitments to ensure its successful organisation.
The Association expressed appreciation to sponsors and partners who had already provided financial and logistical assistance.
The awards are expected to attract government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security chiefs, media practitioners, corporate organisations and other distinguished personalities.
Meanwhile, the GJA has scheduled an emergency meeting for journalists on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra, urging members to attend and participate.