The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has issued a stern ultimatum to the Ghana Police Service, demanding a comprehensive response within seven days to a formal request concerning assaults on journalists.
Failure by the police to comply will result in the GJA advising a nationwide boycott of all police-related activities, labeling the police as adversaries to press freedom in Ghana.
At a press conference held at the GJA Press Center in Accra, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour publicly outlined the association’s grievances and set forth a series of specific demands aimed at addressing recent attacks on members of the press.
The statement notably highlights incidents including the assault during the Ablekuma North election, urging transparency and accountability from the police force.
Dwumfour emphasized the urgency of the situation, referring to the demands under the banner “Time for Action.”
He detailed five key calls directed at the Ghana Police Service:
1. A thorough update on the progress of investigations into all reported attacks on journalists nationwide over the past seven months.
2. A public disclosure on the prosecution process of the police officer implicated in the Ablekuma North incident, including clear timelines and court proceedings.
3. Implementation of clear disciplinary measures and sanctions against any officers, uniformed or plainclothes, involved in assaults against journalists.
4. Introduction of preventative strategies, including training programs for police personnel on respecting press freedom and safeguarding media rights.
5. An immediate formal response to the GJA’s official request for a full investigation report addressing all assault cases involving journalists.
Dwumfour warned that the GJA will consider any delay or refusal to meet these demands as a direct affront to press freedom.
“We expect these demands to be met within seven days from the date of this statement,” he stated firmly.
“Failure to do so will leave us with no option but to advise all media outlets and our members across the country to boycott police-related activities and declare them as enemies of press freedom.”
Source: Kwadwo Owusu
