The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Dwumfuor, has condemned the increasing violence against journalists in Ghana. Addressing a press conference, he stressed the need for ethical journalism and called for an address of the issues faced by journalists in the country.
Violence Against Journalists
Mr. Dwumfuor described the recent attacks on journalists as alarming and unacceptable. He cited the brutal assault on Ohene Tawiah of the Multimedia Group Limited by illegal small-scale miners. Tawiah was leading a joint news team to cover a police operation when he was nearly killed by a violent mob.
He also referenced the assault on Erastus Asare Donkor, another journalist from the same media house, by small-scale miners last year. Despite these attacks, he lamented that the perpetrators remain unpunished.
He further expressed his disappointment with the assault on journalists in recent times. He stated, “It is very sad to note that in the month of love, while people are demonstrating love to their dear ones with red gifts, our colleagues who were in the line of duty were made to see red blood as reward for serving Mother Ghana.”
“It is also disheartening to note that just about 50 days into the second John Mahama administration, we have witnessed seven cases of assault against journalists. This is unprecedented.”
According to Mr. Dwumfour, four journalists were attacked in Kumasi while covering the election of the Ashanti Region representative on the Council of State. He said intelligence by the GIJ suggests these individuals were supporters of the ruling NDC. “Our intelligence suggests that the thugs and criminals who assaulted the journalists are supporters or sympathizers of the ruling National Democratic Congress, NDC,” he stressed.
He further expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that the perpetrators had not been brought to justice. “Unfortunately, no arrests or prosecutions have been made. The mind-boggling question is, if REGSEC cannot provide security in its own backyard, how can it provide security elsewhere? This only sends warning signals that Ghana is heading towards a state of anarchy. It appears there is no law and order, and there is no security in the country.”
Citing the case involving the assault of two journalists in Walewale, Mr. Dwumfuor criticized the Ghana Police Service and military for failing to protect journalists. He said, “Journalist Alhassan Dokurugu of Asaase Radio and journalist Tahiru Ibrahim of Zaa Multimedia were assaulted by military personnel while covering an incident involving the setting ablaze of a bus at Nalerigu Junction. The incident occurred in the presence of the police, but they neither protected the journalist nor arrested the perpetrators.”
“We once again call on the Ghana Police Service, as promised by the IGP, to bring the perpetrators to face justice. We will not end there. We also call on the military high command to investigate this incident and sanction the wayward military personnel,” he added.
Journalism Ethics and Responsibility
While addressing attacks on journalists, Mr. Dwumfuor emphasized the importance of ethical journalism. He expressed concern over the branding of news on Angel FM as ‘Orgasm News,’ stating that such naming undermines media professionalism and decency.
“We think using the word orgasm to christen the media news defiles decency in journalism. We urge the management of Angel FM to be positively innovative and find an angelic name for the media news,” he stated.
High Cost of Locally Produced Chocolate
Addressing some national issues, Mr. Dwumfuor raised concerns about the high cost of locally produced chocolate in Ghana. He pointed out that despite Ghana being the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, locally made chocolate remains unaffordable for many citizens.
“one bar of golden cream chocolate is sold at wholesale price for 25 Ghana cedis… In other shops, the same bar of chocolate is sold at retail price for 30 Ghana cedis, while on the streets it is sold for 40 Ghana cedis. How many Ghanaians can afford this with a current minimum wage of 18.15 pesewas? ” he questioned.
He urged the Cocoa Processing Company and Ghana Cocoa Board to take immediate steps to make locally produced chocolate more affordable.
As Ghana continues to celebrate National Chocolate Day in February, Mr. Dwumfuor stressed that citizens should be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor without financial constraints.
Call for Action
The GJA President called on President John Mahama to personally intervene in the rising cases of violence against journalists. He reminded the President of his promise to promote media freedom and protect journalists.
“We wish to take this opportunity to appeal to one of our own, a senior member of this fraternity, the President of the Republic of Ghana, President John Dramani Mahama, to take a personal interest in these cases as the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and ensure that the perpetrators are arrested, arraigned, and punished for their crimes.” he concluded.
The GJA reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom and the welfare of journalists, calling on all stakeholders to work together to protect the media’s role in national development.
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