Ghana Journalists Association celebrates 30th Media Awards in Accra

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has held its landmark 30th Media Awards at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, highlighting both the achievements and the persistent challenges facing the nation's media landscape. The ceremony, themed "Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age," brought together veteran practitioners, state officials, and diplomatic representatives to honour outstanding journalistic contributions to national development. President John Mahama attended the event as the Special Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker, underscoring the government's engagement with the fourth estate.

During the event, GJA President Albert Dwumfour highlighted Ghana's significant progress in international press freedom assessments. According to the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, Ghana climbed to 39th place globally, a notable improvement from its 52.nd position in 2025 and 62nd in 2023. Mr. Dwumfour attributed this upward trajectory to relentless advocacy and collaboration among industry stakeholders. He expressed optimism that if the current momentum is maintained, Ghana could eventually secure a spot among the top three countries for press freedom worldwide.

However, the GJA leadership coupled this celebration with a sobering report on the safety of journalists. Mr. Dwumfour revealed that more than 50 incidents involving attacks, arrests, and harassment of media personnel have been recorded between 2022 and early 2026. Alarmingly, five such attacks occurred in January 2026 alone, with some instances reportedly involving state security personnel. The GJA President warned against complacency, stressing that the improved global ranking does not erase the lived reality of practitioners who continue to face physical threats and economic insecurity in the line of duty.

To address these concerns, the GJA called for greater accountability and the swift prosecution of those who target journalists. The association emphasized that media independence and the safety of practitioners are non-negotiable pillars of a functioning democracy. As the ceremony concluded with awards for excellence in various categories and a dinner prepared by MensCook, the overarching message remained clear: while Ghana has made strides in creating a more favourable environment for the press, the work of protecting journalists and ensuring their freedom remains an ongoing priority.