The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has announced plans to publish the names and photos of security personnel who attack media personnel and label them "Enemies of Democracy and Press Freedom."
These individuals would be labelled as “Enemies of Democracy and Press Freedom” on the front pages of major newspapers and on key digital platforms for a year.
In addition to this, the GJA has said it will also seek diplomatic sanctions against the identified perpetrators.
According to the GJA it will submit the names of security personnel and individuals implicated in attacks on journalists to foreign embassies and international organisations for possible sanctions and visa restrictions.
At a press conference held in Accra on Thursday, July 31, 2025, GJA President, Albert Dwumfour said the association would formally write to diplomatic missions, including those of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and the European Union delegation in Ghana.
The letters will request that such individuals be denied visas or have existing ones revoked.
Mr Dwumfour also indicated that the association would petition the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS and UNESCO to bar the named individuals from participating in peacekeeping operations and other international assignments.
“These individuals will be considered a threat to press freedom and treated accordingly,” he said. “We will not allow them to represent Ghana abroad while attacking journalists at home.”
The GJA cited recent incidents, including the assault on journalists during the Ablekuma North parliamentary election re-run and the arrest and alleged assault of JoyNews reporter Carlos Calony and his cameraman by National Security operatives during the demolition of a warehouse in Accra.
The association said there had been no credible prosecutions or transparent accountability in these cases.
In addition to seeking diplomatic sanctions, the GJA said it would publish the names, ranks and photographs of identified perpetrators on the front pages of major newspapers and on key digital platforms for a year.
These individuals would be labelled as “Enemies of Democracy and Press Freedom.”
Mr Dwumfour said the GJA would also petition the Ghana Armed Forces Council and the Police Council to prevent the promotion of officers involved in the abuse of journalists and to push for internal disciplinary action.
He warned that if the Ghana Police Service fails to provide detailed updates on all reported attacks within seven days, the Association will instruct media houses across the country to withhold coverage of police activities and declare them hostile to press freedom.
“We are no longer accepting symbolic condemnations without consequences,” Mr Dwumfour said. “This time, there will be names, there will be consequences, and the world will know.”
The GJA added that it would work with local and international human rights bodies to pursue civil lawsuits and human rights petitions on behalf of journalists who have been assaulted in the line of duty.
