By: Akua Oteng Amponsah
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to use his executive powers to enact a law that would provide stronger protection for journalists.
GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor made this appeal during a courtesy call on the President at the Jubilee House, highlighting the increasing attacks on journalists and its negative impact on Ghana’s global press freedom ranking.
“We used to be No.1 and dropped to 3, a position we maintained for years till we started declining. This year we are 52 out of 180 countries, dropping from 50th position last year. Ghana is now occupying the 8th position in Africa,” Dwumfuor stated, emphasizing the need for urgent action.
Dwumfuor stressed that existing laws are inadequate, as attacks on journalists are often treated as misdemeanors, failing to deter perpetrators.
“If we continue to treat all assaults or attacks on journalists as misdemeanor, it will not deter or serve as deterrent to others,” he said.
The GJA President urged President Mahama to invoke his executive powers to enact an Executive Instrument that would empower security agencies to protect journalists, treating attacks on them as aggravated offenses.
“I think Executive Instrument (E.I) will help in defining attacks on journalists rather than treating it as misdemeanor,” he added.
