Graphic, others awarded at GJA Press Freedom Honours night
The Graphic Communications Group Ltd. (GCGL) has been honoured for its outstanding contribution to national development, press freedom, media advancement, democratic governance and public service.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) conferred the honours on the GCGL and other distinguished personalities and organisations at the second edition of the GJA World Press Freedom Day (GJA-WPFD) Honours Night held in Accra last Saturday.
It was in recognition of their significant contribution to the advancement of society and the strengthening of press freedom, accountability and development.
The event was on the global theme: “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development and Security”.
It brought together Ministers of State, Members of Parliament (MPs), members of the Diplomatic Corps, and other senior journalists and academics.
Among the personalities were the Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Administration, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo; the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, who was also the Special Guest, representing the President, and the President of the African Women Leaders Network Ghana Chapter and Chairperson of the evening, Dr Charity Binka.
Others were the Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu; the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin; the Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Matilda Asante-Asiedu, and the UNESCO Representative in Ghana, Edmond Moukala.
Commitment to free press
President John Dramani Mahama, in a statement delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Communications, reaffirmed the government’s “firm and irreversible commitment” to media freedom.
He expressed his belief that “a nation’s press is the heartbeat of its democracy” and touted that journalists were working without fear under his administration.
“A government that fears scrutiny is a government that has reason to hide. We are not such a government. Under my tenure, not a single journalist in Ghana has been killed for doing their job. Not one journalist has been forced to flee this country out of fear. Not one media house has been shuttered for daring to speak inconvenient truths to power,” he stated.
The President pointed to the country’s rise in the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index to 39th out of 180 countries, up from 52nd last year and 62nd in 2023.
He described the improvement as a testament to the culture of openness cultivated by the country’s media over decades.
On this year’s theme, President Mahama said journalism rooted in truth and ethics “can become one of the most powerful instruments we possess for building peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies”.
He also stressed the responsibility that came with press freedom, warning against misinformation and disinformation that could ignite communal tensions or undermine national security.
“Press freedom does not mean freedom from accountability. The regulatory and legal frameworks in this country are not instruments of censorship. They are instruments of order,” he stated.
President Mahama pledged continued investment in broadband infrastructure and digital literacy, describing them as “democratic decisions” essential for a connected citizenry.
Commendation
The GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, commended President Mahama for his commitment to media development and democratic governance, particularly the proposed Media Development Fund to strengthen media institutions and ensure long-term sustainability.
“This initiative, if fully implemented, has the potential to significantly improve the operational conditions of many media organisations and contribute meaningfully towards press freedom, media independence, and responsible journalism,” he said.
Mr Dwumfour, however, urged the President to “continue speaking more strongly and consistently on issues concerning attacks on journalists, violations of media freedom, and abuses against media practitioners”, adding that journalist protection must remain a national priority.
He warned that press freedom threats had evolved beyond censorship to include strategic lawsuits against public participation, digital surveillance, economic pressure, online harassment and violence against reporters covering galamsey, corruption and politics.
Citing recent cases, he said an investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, was facing a GH¢21 million defamation suit, while a former Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, had filed a GH¢20 million suit against a media house and journalist, Salifu Maase.
The GJA president also commended the Ghana Police Service for arresting a perpetrator of attacks on journalists for the first time in years, but cautioned against the “abuse and misapplication” of Section 76 of the Electronic Communications Act.
He also raised concerns over the proposed Government Communications Bill and Misinformation and Disinformation Bill, saying consultation had not been broad enough.
Mr Dwumfour added that the GJA was particularly worried about proposals for a regulatory commission and custodial sentences, which it said could create a chilling effect on free expression and investigative journalism.
Assurance
The Deputy Chief of Staff, speaking on behalf of the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, assured of the government’s commitment to sustaining and deepening press freedom in the country, describing it as central to the country’s democratic progress.
“The National Democratic Congress (NDC) government commits to sustaining and deepening press freedom in Ghana.
Get that assurance and promise because Ghana is moving forward,” Nana Oye Bampoe Addo said.
She described the global theme as timely, given the instability and threats posed by artificial intelligence.
“Through AI, voices are cloned, human likeness is fabricated, individuals are placed in contexts they never inhabited.
The press, more than ever, is the first and most important line of defence.
“So, a trained, ethical, independent press that verifies before it publishes is the credible answer to the chaos that unverified information creates,” she stated, congratulating the GJA and all honourees.
