Ghana jumps up press freedom rankings
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has lauded the country’s improved standing in the World Press Freedom Index, as Ghana made a jump from 52nd spot in the previous rankings to 39th in the latest edition.
In a statement, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day marked May 3, 2026, the association said it was particularly encouraged by Ghana’s improved performance on the World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders, where the country moved from 52nd to 39th position in the World and fourth in Africa.
“This significant progress reflects improvements across all five key indicators assessed during the period. We take pride in this achievement, which underscores the impact of sustained advocacy, constructive engagement and the unwavering commitment of the GJA and its partners to defend and promote media freedom in Ghana,” the statement, signed by the General Secretary of the GJA, Dominic Hlordzi, said.
“We want to particularly commend the President, John Dramani Mahama, who is a proud member of the association, for his personal efforts and dedication to the improvement in the rankings,” the GJA said.
“The association is reinvigorated in its fearless and relentless advocacy efforts, which have contributed to this progress.
We commend the government of Ghana, civil society, media institutions and our national and international partners who stood in solidarity with the GJA in advancing a freer and more responsible media landscape.
Their collaboration with the GJA has been instrumental in creating a more enabling environment for journalism to thrive,” the statement added.
More work
It said while the achievement was worthy of celebration, more work still remained to be done.
It, therefore, urged the government and the leadership of the Ghana Police Service to ensure that all cases of attacks against journalists were promptly, thoroughly and transparently investigated, with perpetrators held accountable to end the culture of impunity.
At the same time, it said, there was a pressing need to review and repeal provisions within laws such as the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 that were frequently weaponised to intimidate and silence journalists.
It said the association firmly believed that these and other deliberate reforms would create a more enabling and secure environment for media practice, strengthen public trust, and ultimately contribute to further improvements in Ghana’s standing on global press freedom indices.
Theme
The 2026 World Press Freedom Day was marked on the theme: “Shaping a Future at Peace”.
“This year’s theme provides a critical opportunity to reaffirm freedom of expression, both as a normative principle and (as) an empirical tool for shaping resilient, inclusive and peaceful information societies,” the GJA said.
“We will continue to speak truth to power, challenge injustices and hold duty-bearers accountable without fear or favour,” it quoted GJA President, Albert Dwumfour, to have added.
In furtherance of this year’s commemoration, the GJA said it would later this month organise a national event to mark World Press Freedom Day and honour journalists and institutions whose contributions had significantly advanced media development and democratic accountability in Ghana.
Meanwhile, the GJA President is leading a delegation to Paris, France, to participate in the International Federation of Journalists, IFJ Centenary Congress, from May 4-7, 2026.
The congress, which will bring together over 300 journalists’ unions and associations from around the world, is being hosted on the theme: “100 years of international solidarity for strong journalism and trade unionism”.
The congress will serve as a key platform to shape the IFJ’s direction for 2026–2029.
Delegates will discuss and adopt the federation’s new working programme and address core issues, including artificial intelligence, safety, youth engagement in the profession, gender equality, surveillance and much more.
The congress will also highlight the crucial role of unions in protecting jobs, promoting ethical journalism and ensuring a sustainable future for the profession.
