The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has announced a bold initiative to combat the rising trend of attacks on journalists by security officers. The Association intends to publish the names, ranks, and photographs of those involved in such assaults, labelling them as “Enemies of Democracy and Press Freedom.”
These individuals will be featured prominently on the front pages of major newspapers and across key digital platforms for one year. The move, according to the GJA, is aimed at holding perpetrators accountable and deterring future acts of violence against journalists.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, July 31, 2025, GJA President Albert Dwumfour outlined several additional measures. He stated that the Association would formally submit the names of alleged offenders to foreign diplomatic missions—including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and the European Union—requesting visa denials or revocations.
“We will not allow them to represent Ghana abroad while attacking journalists at home,” Mr. Dwumfour asserted. “These individuals will be considered threats to press freedom and treated accordingly.”
The GJA also plans to petition international bodies such as the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, and UNESCO, urging them to bar implicated individuals from peacekeeping roles and other global assignments.
This initiative follows recent incidents, including the assault of journalists during the Ablekuma North parliamentary election re-run and the arrest and alleged beating of JoyNews reporter Carlos Calony and his cameraman by National Security operatives during a warehouse demolition in Accra. According to the GJA, these cases have seen no credible investigations or prosecutions to date.
The Association further announced that it will engage the Ghana Armed Forces Council and the Police Council to block promotions and enforce internal disciplinary measures against officers involved in the abuse of media personnel.
Mr. Dwumfour issued a warning to the Ghana Police Service: if the Service fails to provide detailed updates on all reported attacks within seven days, the GJA will instruct media houses nationwide to suspend coverage of police activities and declare the institution hostile to press freedom.
“We are no longer accepting symbolic condemnations without consequences,” he emphasized. “This time, there will be names, there will be consequences, and the world will know.”
In addition, the GJA will collaborate with local and international human rights organizations to file civil lawsuits and human rights petitions on behalf of assaulted journalists.
This comprehensive strategy marks a significant escalation in the GJA’s advocacy efforts and sends a clear message that violence against the media will no longer go unchallenged.
Source: theghanareport
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