Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George has reaffirmed government’s commitment to the safety of journalists in Ghana, saying no individual who attacks a media professional should escape accountability because of political influence, official position or security status.
Speaking at a public forum organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa on Monday, November 2, Mr George said protecting journalists was essential to preserving Ghana’s democratic system.
“No uniform, no office, no party card and no private influence should place anyone above the law,” he said.
The forum, held to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, was organised under the theme, “Ending Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists in Ghana: Strengthening Safety, Accountability and Press Freedom.”
The United Nations observes November 2 annually to draw attention to attacks against journalists and the large number of cases globally that remain unresolved or unpunished.
MFWA Launches Safety Policy
A major part of the event was the launch of a Model Safety of Journalists Policy developed by the MFWA.
The framework is intended to help media organisations improve protection for journalists working in increasingly difficult physical, digital and legal environments.
MFWA Executive Director Sulemana Braimah said the policy provides practical guidance for media houses, including risk assessments, emergency response procedures and the designation of safety officers.
The framework also covers psychological and digital safety, areas that have become increasingly important as journalists face online threats, surveillance, legal intimidation and harassment.
Mr Braimah said protecting journalists cannot be left entirely to individual reporters. Media owners and editors must also build systems that reduce risks before assignments and provide support when incidents occur.
The foundation has also been providing legal assistance and connecting journalists with lawyers when they face threats or legal action linked to their work.
Ghana’s Press Freedom Ranking Improves
Mr George pointed to Ghana’s improved position on the 2026 World Press Freedom Index as evidence of progress.
Reporters Without Borders ranked Ghana 39th out of 180 countries this year, up from 52nd in 2025. The country recorded a score of 72.20, its strongest result in five years.
The minister attributed the improvement to greater openness and engagement under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
Government has made similar commitments earlier this year, with Mr George stating at World Press Freedom Day activities that a free press remains central to democratic governance and public accountability.
He acknowledged, however, that Ghana still records attacks and other violations involving journalists.
The minister said reporting such incidents quickly, conducting impartial investigations and providing regular updates to victims were necessary if government was serious about ending impunity.
Media Also Urged to Uphold Standards
Mr George also placed responsibility on media institutions.
He urged journalists, editors and media owners to strengthen self regulation, correct mistakes transparently and clearly separate verified reporting from political claims that have not been established.
His argument was that stronger protection for journalists should go alongside stronger professional standards within newsrooms.
Mr Braimah similarly stressed that press freedom requires institutions capable of defending journalists while maintaining public confidence in journalism.
The forum ended with calls for closer cooperation among government, security agencies, civil society organisations and media owners to track unresolved attacks and improve the safety of journalists.
For the MFWA, the new policy is intended to move the discussion from general commitments to newsroom level action.
For government, the bigger test will be whether investigations into attacks on journalists lead to timely accountability, regardless of who is accused.
