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The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to use his executive powers to enact a law that would put an end to assaults against journalists in the line of duty. GJA President Albert Dwumfuor made this appeal during a courtesy call on the President at the Jubilee House on September 4, 2025.
Dwumfuor emphasized that current laws are too weak to serve as a deterrent and urged the President to tighten sanctions for persons who attack journalists. “If we continue to treat assault or attack on journalists as a misdemeanour, Your Excellency, it will not serve as a deterrent to others,” he noted.
The GJA President also requested compensation for journalists who have been assaulted while performing their duties. “Most or some of our colleagues have suffered occupational hazards in their line of duty. We want to appeal to your good self for compensation for such journalists who have suffered injuries in the line of duty,” he stated.
President Mahama expressed concern about Ghana’s declining ranking on the World Press Freedom Index, citing harassment of journalists and the murder of Ahmed Suale as contributing factors. He pledged to work closely with the GJA to restore Ghana’s reputation as a model of press freedom.
The President emphasized the need for sanctions to deter attacks on journalists and announced plans to establish a forum for dialogue between journalists and security agencies. This forum aims to educate officers that journalists are partners in national development, not adversaries.
