By: Michael Kofi Kenetey
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour has reiterated that any attack on journalists in the country is an attack on democracy, hence the GJA will do anything within their power to ensure the safety of journalists in the country.
He noted that for the past three years, Ghana has been declining on the World Press Freedom Index due to the incessant attack on journalists in the country. Mr. Dwumfour made said this in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, during a Pre-event Press Briefing of journalists on this year’s 75th World Press Freedom Day Celebration which will be marked in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital.
Mr. Dwumfour noted that the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day is to observe the independence of the media and also to reflect on the activities of the media in the year under review and seek ideas for the way forward. He mentioned that though there has been some an incessant attack on journalists in the year under review, he is hoping that Ghana will perform better this year on the World Press Freedom Index.
Mr. Dwumfour opined that GJA has decided to blacklist some dishonourable politicians and Members of Parliament because of their ill-treatment against journalists. He mentioned that the GJA is working tirelessly to end impunity against journalists, adding that the GJA wants to ensure that journalists will be able to discharge their duties in the country without any fear or intimidation.
Speaking on the theme for this year’s celebration in Ghana “Leveraging Journalism for a Sustainable Environment and Future, he said the theme was carefully chosen to determine the role that the media can play to help protect and safeguard the environment for the future generation. The theme for this year’s celebration globally is “A Press for the Planet, Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis”
