President John Dramani Mahama has stated that his administration will work to restore the spirit of freedom of expression, institutional respect and journalistic safety which characterised the Ghanaian democratic experience before 2017.
He described as a worrying concern Ghana’s decline in the Global Press Freedom Index due to increasing threats against journalists and the rising culture of misinformation.
The President said Ghana’s current record on press freedom had deteriorated, although before 2017, the nation stood tall as a beacon of media independence in Africa, as journalists worked without fear.
Speaking at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards ceremony at the Jubilee Hall of the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi last Saturday, President Mahama stressed that the 2025 Press Freedom Index, which reflected the conditions of the press in 2024, reported another unfortunate decline.
“This is a signal that our recovery remains fragile as Ghana faces a defining choice: to accept this gradual slide or to consciously reclaim our place as Africa’s torchbearer of media freedom,” he declared.
Awards
The GJA Awards ceremony, which was held outside the national capital, Accra, for the first time in 29 years, was on the theme: “Safeguarding Ghana’s future: The role of the media in promoting peace, security and the fight against galamsey”.
In attendance was the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who provided invaluable support for the event.
The ceremony brought together many dignitaries and personalities, including present and past executives of the GJA, the acting Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie; the Minister in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu; the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak; Director of Operations at the Presidency, Commissioner of Police (COP) Nathan Kofi Boakye (retd), and Presidential Advisor, Joyce Bawah Mogtari.
Others were the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene; the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi; the UNESCO Representative to Ghana, Edmond Moukala N’gouemo; the Chairperson of the National Media Commission, Prof. Akua Biritwum, and other dignitaries.
At the ceremony, 29 journalists and media organisations that excelled in their work in 2024 were presented with awards in various categories.
Attack on journalists
Giving details of a recent call by the GJA for him to expedite investigations into acts of violence that took place during the 2020 and 2024 elections, the President informed the gathering of the inky fraternity that investigations were complete, and 21 individuals had been identified.
Four of them had been arrested and released on bail, five remained on remand, while warrants had been issued for the remaining suspects to be arrested and prosecuted to face the full rigours of the law, he said.
“Under my leadership, this government will neither sanction nor tolerate any form of intimidation, interference or attacks on journalists,” President Mahama declared, saying he had directed the ministers responsible for Government Communications and National Security to create a permanent forum between the media and security agencies to foster mutual respect and prevent future incidents.
Media Development Fund
President Mahama announced the reactivation of the Media Development Fund to support training in investigative journalism, digital literacy and journalists’ welfare.
He, however, emphasised that freedom must be exercised with responsibility, and urged media practitioners to uphold integrity, accuracy and fairness.
Illegal mining
Turning attention to environmental challenges, the President described illegal mining (galamsey) as a national threat that endangered Ghana’s rivers, forests and communities.
He reiterated his resolve to sustain the fight against environmental destruction, announcing that a pilot reclamation project, led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and covering 1,000 hectares of mined-out land, had begun under a public-private partnership model.
“Destroying the environment is like cutting off your nose to spite your face.
We will never give up the fight against illegal mining,” President Mahama reiterated.
On the journalists who got injured after being attacked by some illegal miners in the line of duty while accompanying the EPA, the President warned that firm action would be taken against communities that attacked officials and security personnel performing their lawful duties.
Unverified information
The President, who is also a member of the GJA, reminded the media to balance their freedom with responsibility as the credibility of journalism depended on integrity, accuracy and fairness.
“Too often, the risk to break the news first results in unverified publications and damage to people’s reputation.
“We need to strengthen both internal and cross-media systems for verifying stories and making corrections.
Just as colleagues accept peer review, we, as journalists, should also adopt peer accountability,” he noted.
Big enemy
For his part, the President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, said galamsey was a big enemy that Ghanaians must conquer to safeguard the country’s future.
He expressed worry about the journalists who were involved in an accident in the region while accompanying EPA officials to fight illegal mining and called on corporate bodies to lend support to the victims.
Mr Dwumfour condemned the recent attack on the National Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce Secretariat, calling it a “cowardly assault on the authority of the state.”
Mr Dwumfour also commended Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his unwavering stand against illegal mining and urged him to continue using his influence to protect the lands of Asanteman.
He assured both the President and the Asantehene that the GJA would continue to support all lawful efforts aimed at eradicating galamsey and promoting responsible mining practices.
The Executive Chairman, KGL Group, the headline sponsor of the awards, Alex Apau Dadey, said for the past four years, his outfit had supported the awards ceremony to reward hardworking media personnel in the country.
He said the media’s role in securing a peaceful, secure and prosperous nation was indispensable and stated that it was only through truth that journalists could safeguard Ghana’s peace and security.
Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh
