Mr. Albert Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has praised Ghanaian journalists for their professionalism and dedication in covering the 2024 elections.
He made these remarks during a final press conference on media coverage of the elections, organized by the Media Coalition in partnership with GJA, GIBA, PRINPAG, and the New Media Association of Ghana (NMA).
Mr. Dwumfour noted that the media played a critical role in promoting transparency and accountability during the electoral process, describing the coverage as one of the best in Ghana’s history.
“The Ghanaian media have once again demonstrated resilience and commitment to democratic principles before, during, and after the elections. We saw significant improvements in field and studio reporting, despite some challenges faced. This effort is commendable, and we salute all journalists and election volunteers for their hard work,” he said.
Key Contributions of the Media
Mr. Dwumfuo highlighted the media’s contributions to the electoral process:
Pre-Election Coverage: Journalists provided extensive education on voter policies, candidate profiles, and campaign issues.
Election Day Reporting: Media practitioners offered real-time updates on voting, counting, and collation, ensuring transparency.
Post-Election Analysis: Ongoing in-depth analysis has helped the public better understand the election results and their implications.
Challenges Faced by Journalists
Despite the successes, journalists encountered some challenges, including:
Safety Concerns: Some reporters were in areas where violent incidents occurred, such as shootings. While no physical attacks on journalists were reported, the experiences were traumatizing for those on the ground.
Access Issues: Some journalists faced restrictions when trying to access collation centers, even with proper accreditation.
Information Gaps: Difficulty obtaining timely information from electoral officials highlighted the need for better communication and transparency.
Commendations and Recommendations
The GJA President commended the Ghana Police Service, led by IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, for ensuring the safety of journalists during the election period. He also praised the Electoral Commission (EC) for collaborating with the media to train journalists and provide free accreditation. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of accreditation at the National Collation Center, calling for better consultation in the future.
In conclusion, Mr. Dwumfour congratulated the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, and called on all stakeholders to uphold the peace and unity of the nation. He urged journalists to maintain their professionalism as the country moves forward.
“We have proven, once again, that Ghana’s media are admired across the continent. Let us continue to uphold the values of transparency, accountability, and democracy,” he said.