Albert Kwabena Dwumfour demands prosecution of people attacking journalists

Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has called for the immediate investigation and prosecution of individuals involved in attacks on media personnel. Speaking at a press conference on November 2, 2026, to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Dwumfour revealed that more than 50 journalists have been subjected to various forms of violence since 2022. He emphasized that the persistent failure to hold perpetrators accountable poses a significant threat to press freedom and the nation’s democratic foundations.

The GJA President noted that the recorded incidents include physical assaults, some of which involved state security personnel. He urged the Ghana Police Service and other governmental bodies to adopt more rigorous measures in protecting journalists and to take online threats against media workers seriously. To bolster these efforts, Dwumfour advocated for the establishment of a national journalist safety framework, which would provide a structured approach to ensuring the security of media practitioners in the line of duty.

In addition to legal action, the GJA is moving to relaunch the GJA Journalist Support Fund. This initiative is designed to provide financial and logistical assistance to journalists who have been affected by violence or harassment while performing their professional duties. By addressing both the legal and welfare needs of its members, the association aims to curb the culture of impunity. Dwumfour concluded by reiterating that the safety of journalists is non-negotiable for a healthy democracy and called for a collective commitment to end violence against the press.