The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has warned that no security agency is permitted to demand permission from journalists who are covering events of public interest.
According to him, recent assaults, arrests, and threats against journalists represent a threat that undermines press freedom and public accountability, and must be met with firm institutional resistance.
Holding a press briefing on Tuesday, January 28, 2026, Mr. Dwumfour outlined what he described as the GJA’s “red lines” in response to the recent attacks on journalists across the country.
“In light of the escalating threats and attacks, the Ghana Journalists Association hereby sets out the following redlines which must never be crossed under any circumstances,” he stated.
He went on to list these guidelines. “No journalist must be assaulted, arrested, threatened or obstructed for performing lawful professional duties, whether by state security officers, political supporters or private individuals.”
He stressed that security agencies have no legal authority to interfere with journalistic work carried out in the public interest.
“No security agency is permitted to confiscate journalists’ equipment, delete content or demand permission for coverage of event of public interest.”
Questioning the justification for such actions, the GJA President added,
“What are you hiding? What do you have to hide? We are public interest media. We do not need authorization, consent or approval to discharge our constitutional mandate as a public interest media. If it is your private engagement, fine, but once you are serving the nation.”
Mr. Dwumfour further warned that threats against journalists must never be treated casually.
“No reported threats against a journalist must be ignored or treated casually. All threats must trigger immediate risk assessment, protection and investigation.”
He also rejected the practice of handling attacks on journalists solely through internal disciplinary measures.
“Internal disciplinary measures alone are unacceptable where criminal conduct against journalists has occurred. Such cases must be prosecuted in open court. Silence by institutions after attacks on journalists is unacceptable and will be interpreted as tolerance for impunity.”
He assured that the association will pursue accountability relentlessly if these guidelines are broken.
“The GJA will vigorously pursue accountability for any violation of these red lines and will not hesitate to escalate matters to national and international partners where necessary.”
The press conference followed the assault of Media General (TV3) correspondent Solomon Kwame Kankuli by military personnel in Walewale in the North East Region on January 26, 2026.
It also referenced the assault on Samuel Addo of Class Media Group by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) while he was covering a fire outbreak at the Kasoa New Market on January 5, 2026.
The GJA further issued specific demands to the Ghana National Fire Service.
“A public release of the investigation findings and sanctions by the Ghana National Fire Service. We are giving the fire service a 14-day ultimatum to act on this request, failing which we will take drastic measures against them including and not limited to blacklisting.”
They also reiterated their past demand for the immediate removal of the GNFS Public Relations Officer, DO II Desmond Ackah, stating that the association cannot work with him.
Additionally, the GJA called for a full investigation and prosecution of those involved in the assault of the Media General journalist.
“The immediate investigation, arrest, and prosecution of the military officers involved in the Walewale assault.”
Mr. Dwumfour noted that while the association considered issuing an ultimatum to the military high command, it refrained after being informed that the military would respond after the press briefing.
He further urged journalists nationwide to remain resolute.
“We encourage all journalists across the country to be strong, fearless and unwavering in the discharge of their duties for mother Ghana.”
