By Vivian Amoah
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has called for stronger legal protections and greater support for journalists as Ghana continues to make progress in media freedom.
Speaking at the World Press Freedom Honours Night held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on June 6, Mr. Dwumfour described journalism as a public service that plays a critical role in promoting accountability, democracy, and national development.
He noted that despite improvements in Ghana’s press freedom ranking, journalists continue to face numerous challenges, including intimidation, online harassment, physical attacks, economic pressures, and strategic lawsuits aimed at silencing critical reporting.
Mr. Dwumfour commended Ghana’s significant improvement in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, where the country moved from 52nd to 39th position globally and from 8th to 4th in Africa. He attributed the achievement to the collective efforts of journalists, media owners, civil society organizations, and democratic institutions.
The GJA President also praised President John Dramani Mahama for supporting media development initiatives, particularly plans to establish a Media Development Fund to strengthen media institutions and improve professionalism within the industry.
However, he urged the government to take a firmer stance against attacks on journalists and violations of media freedom. According to him, protecting journalists must remain a national priority if Ghana is to maintain its reputation as a leading advocate of press freedom on the continent.
Mr. Dwumfour further expressed concern about the increasing use of legal actions against journalists and media organizations, warning that excessive litigation could discourage investigative journalism and weaken public accountability.
He also raised concerns over certain provisions in the Electronic Communications Act and proposed communication-related legislation, arguing that such laws could threaten freedom of expression if not carefully reviewed and broadly discussed with stakeholders.
While defending press freedom, the GJA President reminded journalists of their responsibility to uphold ethical standards and professionalism in their work.
He concluded by reaffirming the Association’s commitment to defending press freedom, promoting responsible journalism, and advocating improved welfare and safety for journalists across the country.
The event brought together journalists, media practitioners, government officials, and development partners to celebrate individuals and institutions that have contributed to the advancement of press freedom in Ghana.
