ACCRA – The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has ushered in the new year with a stern warning to state institutions and political actors, following a string of violent attacks and death threats against media practitioners.
At a press conference held at the Ghana International Press Centre on Tuesday to mark Constitution Day, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour declared that the Association would no longer tolerate a “culture of impunity” that endangers the lives of journalists.
Fire Service Under Fire
The most recent flashpoint occurred on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the Kasoa Market.
Samuel Addo, a journalist with Class FM, was allegedly assaulted by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) while filming a fire outbreak.
A viral video of the incident shows officers using helmets to attack the journalist and several civilians. Mr. Dwumfour described the act as “deplorable, disgraceful, and indefensible,” dismissing the Fire Service’s official defence as “misleading and offensive to basic intelligence.”
”No officer has the authority to confiscate a journalist’s equipment or demand ‘permission’ for lawful work at a public emergency scene,” Dwumfour stated.
The GJA is demanding:
The immediate arrest and prosecution of the involved fire officers.The dismissal of the GNFS Public Relations Officer, DO II Desmond Ackah, for his “weak and unacceptable” defence of the assault.
An unqualified public apology from the Chief Fire Officer to the media fraternity.
Death Threats in Sege
The GJA also raised an alarm over a “chilling” incident in the Sege Constituency. Freelance journalist Joseph Akrofi Ocansey reportedly received life-threatening phone calls from the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sege, Daniel Keshie Bessey, and NDC constituency officials.
The threats followed a Facebook post by Ocansey questioning the MP’s transparency regarding youth recruitment slots for security services. The journalist alleges the MP claimed he was “mobilizing funds to organize the funeral of the journalist and his parents.”
Mr. Dwumfour called on Parliament to initiate proceedings against the MP for bringing the House into disrepute and urged the NDC to sanction the local party officers involved. He noted with concern that Ada has become a flashpoint for media violence, recording eight attacks since 2022, including the tragic death of journalist Noah Dameh.
A Call for Accountability
While the GJA commended the Ghana Police Service and the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, for their swift condemnation of the Kasoa attack, the Association warned that words must be backed by action.
”Ghana must never wait for another life to be lost before acting decisively,” Dwumfour said, further warning the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to restrain its supporters ahead of their upcoming flagbearership contest.
As the nation commemorates Constitution Day, the GJA reaffirmed that the 1992 Constitution remains the bedrock of media freedom and pledged to defend Article 21 with “unwavering resolve”
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
