By:
Robert Kwaku Annor
Ghana's Minister for
Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George,
has reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting media freedom,
declaring that individuals who attack journalists will be pursued regardless of
their status or uniform.
The Minister made the
remarks while delivering the keynote address at a public forum organised by the
Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) on the theme, “Ending Impunity for
Crimes Against Journalists in Ghana: Strengthening Safety, Accountability and
Press Freedom.”
The event, which coincided
with the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, also
featured the official launch of the Model Safety of Journalists Policy,
designed to provide media institutions with a practical framework for the physical,
digital, legal and psychological protection of journalists.
Hon. George emphasised that
a free and independent press remains the lifeblood of any thriving democracy,
highlighting the importance of protecting media professionals and ensuring
accountability for attacks against them.
Highlighting Ghana's
democratic progress, the Minister noted that the country had climbed to 39th
out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, up from 52nd
position in the previous year, securing the fourth position in Africa.
He attributed the
improvement to what he described as a deliberate governmental posture favouring
openness, engagement and accountability under the administration of President
John Dramani Mahama.
However, the Minister
acknowledged that challenges persist, pointing to recent reported incidents of
assaults against media personnel.
He stressed that impunity
creates an environment conducive to further attacks, adding that accountability
requires prompt reporting, impartial investigations, regular updates to victims
and decisive prosecution where warranted.
"No uniform, no office,
no party card and no private influence should place anyone above the law,"
Hon. George stated, reaffirming that the government would not tolerate violence
against media professionals performing their public duties.
Opening the forum, MFWA
Executive Director Sulemana Braimah underscored the urgency of addressing the
safety concerns of journalists across West Africa.
He pointed to regional data
showing a worrying rise in violations against media workers and stressed the
importance of tackling impunity to strengthen journalist safety, accountability
and press freedom across the sub-region.
The launch of the Model
Safety of Journalists Policy provides media institutions with a framework to
strengthen protections for journalists against physical, digital, legal and
psychological threats.
