Protecting Journalists: A Growing Concern

 By Shine Esi Kwawukumey 



The abuse and attacks on journalists in Ghana remain a grave concern, with recent incidents highlighting the dangers faced by media practitioners in the line of duty. 


Despite constitutional guarantees for press freedom, journalists continue to encounter harassment, threats, and violence, especially when reporting on sensitive issues like corruption and illegal mining.


Erastus Asare Donkor 

In a recent alarming case, Erastus Asare Donkor, a journalist with Multimedia Group, and his team were attacked while filming a galamsey (illegal mining) site. 


The team, investigating the devastating environmental effects of galamsey, was assaulted by unknown assailants who destroyed their equipment and threatened their lives. 


Such brazen attacks underscore the vulnerabilities of journalists working to expose wrongdoing.


This incident is one of many that have tarnished Ghana's reputation as a beacon of press freedom in Africa. 


It follows the unresolved murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale in 2019, whose killers remain at large six years later. 


The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has repeatedly condemned these acts of violence, calling for justice and stronger protections for media workers.


GJA Executives 


Speaking at an international forum in Addis Ababa to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour joined global leaders in calling for intensified pressure on governments to safeguard journalists. 


The event, organized by UNESCO and the African Union (AU), spotlighted the safety of journalists in crises and emergencies.


Mr. Dwumfour emphasized the alarming global statistics, which show that 1,653 journalists were killed worldwide between 1993 and 2023. 


Ghana's inclusion in this grim tally, with Ahmed Suale's unresolved murder, underscores the need for urgent action. 


He called for severe sanctions against states that fail to protect journalists or condone violence against them, adding that leaders of such governments should be held personally accountable.


“The role of the media in national development cannot be overstated,” Mr. Dwumfour remarked. 


“Public education about the critical importance of journalists is essential to foster understanding and support for their safety.”


In Ghana, journalists are increasingly targeted for their work. 


Investigative reporters, in particular, face heightened risks as they expose corruption, environmental degradation, and abuse of power. 


The attack on Erastus Asare Donkor and his team is a stark reminder of the hostility they encounter.


The GJA has consistently urged the government to take decisive steps to end impunity by prosecuting perpetrators of crimes against journalists. 


Mr. Dwumfour stressed that failure to address these issues emboldens aggressors and undermines press freedom.


The safety of journalists is not just a national issue but a global one. 


As Mr. Dwumfour noted, it is critical to strengthen international frameworks to protect journalists and hold offenders accountable. 


Governments must prioritize investigations into attacks, adopt preventive measures, and foster a culture that values press freedom.


In Ghana, where democracy depends heavily on a free and independent media, these measures are crucial. 


The unsolved murder of Ahmed Suale, the attack on Erastus Asare Donkor, and other cases of abuse demand immediate attention to ensure that journalists can work without fear of harm.


As calls for action grow louder, it is imperative that both national and international stakeholders work together to safeguard journalists, protect press freedom, and hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes.

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