The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, has dismissed allegations that President John Mahama has remained silent on recent attacks against journalists, insisting that his administration remains firmly committed to press freedom and the safety of media practitioners.
Her response follows strong criticism from the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, who, at a press conference on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, accused the government of failing to address what he described as an alarming increase in assaults on journalists.
Dwumfour noted that seven incidents of attacks on journalists had been recorded since President Mahama assumed office, calling the trend “unprecedented.”
However, speaking on TV3’s The Big Issue programme on Thursday, February 20, Muslim refuted the allegations, stating that President Mahama has a longstanding relationship with the GJA and has always championed a free and independent media.
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"I want to assure my colleague journalists that if there is anyone in this administration who stands for a free and just society, as well as a free and independent media, it is His Excellency John Dramani Mahama," she said.
Muslim underscored the government’s commitment to protecting journalists, stating, "We will not allow impunity to thrive. The government will always speak against attacks on journalists and take decisive action to protect media professionals."
She also pointed to Mahama’s 2024 campaign pledge to reopen investigations into the killing of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale as proof of his dedication to media freedom.
"It was His Excellency who assured Ghanaians that under his leadership, the killers of Ahmed Suale would be brought to justice. That commitment remains unwavering," she said.
While acknowledging concerns raised by the GJA, Muslim stressed the need for objective assessments of press freedom under the Mahama administration.
"It is crucial to recognise that press freedom is not solely about individual cases but about the broader government response to these incidents," she noted.
"The government is working closely with security agencies to ensure that journalists can operate without fear."
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