The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called for swift investigations and prosecution of persons who attack journalists, warning that impunity threatens press freedom, democracy and the public’s right to information.
It said more than 50 journalists had been attacked, assaulted, arrested, threatened or harassed between 2022 and January 2026, with five incidents recorded in January this year alone.
Three of the five incidents allegedly involved state security personnel, raising concerns about the safety of journalists carrying out their professional duties.
The President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, made the call at a press conference in Accra yesterday to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, observed annually on November 2.
This year’s commemoration is being held on the theme: “Threats Evolve, Impunity Persists”.
Mr Dwumfour said attacks on journalists were not merely assaults on individuals but also undermined press freedom, democratic accountability and citizens’ access to information.
“Every attack must, therefore, be investigated and those responsible must be held accountable,” he said.
Victims
Mr Dwumfour cited several incidents involving journalists covering elections, illegal mining activities, security operations and demolition exercises.
They included the assault of journalists covering the Ashanti Regional elections and suspected illegal mining activities in the Western Region in February 2025, as well as the assault of three Ghanaian journalists by police officers in April 2025.
He also mentioned the assault of Joy News journalist Mathew Kujusu by personnel of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in May 2025.
Other incidents included attacks on journalists covering the Akuapem North parliamentary rerun and the security situation in Bawku and Wa.
The GJA President further cited the assault of Class FM journalist Samuel Addo by fire service personnel at Kasoa in 2026.
He also mentioned incidents involving Obrempongba Benjamin Kwaku Owusu, a journalist with Adom News, Adom TV and FM, during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) constituency elections in Kwatan South, and attacks on Bullet TV journalist Philip Abutiate and Sika Official, known privately as Kweku Dennis Sika, during demolition exercises at La Boma Beach in Accra.
He expressed concern that personnel of security agencies, whose responsibility was to protect citizens, were allegedly involved in some of the incidents.
“Journalists are not adversaries.
They perform an important public interest role and must be allowed to work safely,” he said.
Mr Dwumfour acknowledged that arrests and disciplinary measures had been taken in some cases but stressed that such actions must lead to transparent investigations and appropriate sanctions or prosecution where the evidence warranted.
Call for accountability
The GJA President called on the Inspector-General of Police and the police administration to treat attacks on journalists as serious offences and ensure the timely prosecution of suspects where evidence supported it.
He urged the police to establish a dedicated focal point for complaints concerning journalist safety, maintain regular engagement with the GJA and provide updates on investigations.
He also called on the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana National Fire Service, National Security and other security institutions to cooperate with investigations, preserve evidence and sanction personnel found culpable.
Mr Dwumfour further urged the government to provide the necessary resources for effective investigations, while calling on the Attorney-General and prosecutorial authorities to prioritise cases involving attacks on journalists.
He said the courts must also ensure the fair and timely determination of such cases.
The association renewed its call for a national journalist safety framework, a rapid response mechanism and support for journalists who suffered attacks.
Journalist Support Fund
Mr Dwumfour announced plans to relaunch the GJA Journalist Support Fund, explaining that the seed money mobilised when the initiative was launched about four years ago had been exhausted.
He appealed to corporate institutions and well-meaning Ghanaians to support the fund to enable it to provide emergency assistance, legal support, medical care and psychological support to journalists who suffered attacks.
He also urged digital platforms and the relevant authorities to take online threats, doxing, gender-based abuse and coordinated harassment seriously, warning that online intimidation could translate into physical violence.
