GJA President Condemns Politicians Over Attacks on Journalists During 2024 Elections
Albert Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has vehemently condemned attacks on journalists during the 2024 general elections, expressing deep frustration over the incidents.
Addressing the media on Saturday, December 7, Mr. Dwumfour highlighted the critical role of journalists in fulfilling their constitutional mandate to inform the public and vowed the GJA’s commitment to addressing electoral-related challenges impacting press freedom.
He expressed disapproval of the military’s involvement in election processes, despite prior assurances that they would not be deployed to polling stations.
“We’ve witnessed instances of military personnel in uniform at polling stations—locations they were explicitly barred from accessing,” Mr. Dwumfour stated, citing disturbing visuals as evidence.
The GJA president also decried violent incidents, including shootings in Nyankpala in the Northern Region and Ahafo Ano in the Ashanti Region. He emphasized the risks journalists face in volatile election environments, referencing the case of Pius Asiedu, a student journalist who suffered severe injuries during the 2020 elections.
“In 2020, at Ablekuma Central, Pius Asiedu was seriously injured while performing his duty to educate and inform the public. To date, he has undergone three surgeries and is still recovering,” he recounted.
Mr. Dwumfour urged security forces to prioritize the safety of journalists during and after the elections, calling for heightened vigilance to ensure media practitioners can operate without fear or harm.
“The protection of journalists is non-negotiable. We implore the security agencies to remain alert and committed to safeguarding press freedom,” he concluded.
