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Source: Linda Agyemang
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Kwame Dwumfour, has raised serious concerns about growing threats to press freedom following a series of assaults on journalists allegedly involving personnel of the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), and the Ghana Armed Forces.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Mr. Dwumfour disclosed that a Class Media Group journalist, Samuel Addo, was assaulted in Kasoa on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by officers of the GNFS while covering a fire outbreak at a jewellery shop.
He further revealed that Solomon Kwame, a correspondent with Onua TV, was attacked by military personnel on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at about 3:00 pm in Tamale.
According to him, the soldiers assaulted the journalist, seized his mobile phone, smashed it, and deleted all its contents.
In another incident, Mr. Dwumfour said Michael Akrofi, a reporter with Peace FM, was attacked by a police officer at Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region while covering a story involving alleged destruction of farmlands by Fulani herdsmen.
Mr. Dwumfour noted that these incidents have reignited national concern over the safety of journalists and respect for press freedom, particularly as the alleged perpetrators are state security personnel.
He said the attacks have attracted public condemnation and renewed calls for swift accountability.
“The GJA considers these acts unprofessional, barbaric, and a gross abuse of power. It is the constitutional right of journalists to work without fear, especially when carrying out assignments in the public interest,” he stated.
He disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has assured the Association of the safety of journalists and expressed hope that decisive action would be taken to address the misconduct of officers involved.
Mr. Dwumfour warned that failure to address such incidents could escalate tensions and lead to violence, stressing that journalists are merely performing their constitutional duties.
He therefore called on the Ghana National Fire Service to publicly release the findings of its investigations and outline specific actions taken against officers involved in the Kasoa assault.
The GJA, he announced, has given the GNFS a 14-day ultimatum to respond and act accordingly, warning that failure to do so would compel the Association to take drastic action.
He added that, as of now, no concrete steps have been taken to address the incidents and appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to honour his commitment to ensuring the safety of journalists in the country.
