Govt reaffirms commitment to ensuring a safe environment for media professionals

The Minister-designate of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has said that the government remains committed to ensuring a safe environment for media practitioners in Ghana.

She says the government has introduced a number of programmes including the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme and the Coordinated Mechanism on the Safety of Journalists, to support media practitioners in their work.

She said this on the X platform of the Information after touring some media organizations on Monday, May 6.

She said “We deliberated on the media support programs introduced by government including the Media Capacity Enhancement Program and the Coordinated Mechanism on the Safety of Journalists which focus on capacity building and safety respectively.

“I reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring a safe and sustainable environment for media professionals.”

Her comments come at a time Ghana’s standing in the World Press Freedom Index has improved from 62 to 50.

The National President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Dwumfuor attributed this progress to the decisive actions taken by the GJA leadership.

He made the remarks at the World Press Freedom Day event in Koforidua on May 3, 2024.

During his speech, the GJA National President condemned the recent attack on the offices of Class FM and called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible.

“The good news is that Ghana has moved from 62 to 50 on Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index.

This includes the blacklisting of some political figures whose supporters assaulted journalists and media outlets.

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the GJA is calling on the Ghana Police Service to expedite investigations into the petrol bomb attack and prosecute the perpetrators.

We believe the failure of the Police to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators would embolden others to commit such crimes, thinking that nothing would happen to them.

We are aware these attacks are meant to intimidate journalists and the media but that will never happen,” The GJA President said.

This year’s World Press Freedom Day is on the theme, “Leveraging journalism for a sustainable environment and future.”

The GJA President urged the media to renew their campaign against illegal and irresponsible mining, emphasizing the importance of protecting the environment and ensuring a sustainable future.

“The GJA seeks to lead a strong media campaign for the protection of the environment and the good of the country.

That notwithstanding, withdrawing from our duty, as we have done now, is more harmful to the nation.”

The US Press Attache Kevin Brosnahan bemoaned the rising incidence of attacks on journalists.

“Ghana fell for two consecutive years in the World Press Index, but I have heard it is on the rise.

Still over the past few years, we have seen multiple invasion of media houses and physical attacks on journalists here in Ghana with serious consequences.

It is past time for his loved ones to have closure,” he added.

The Minister of Information designate, Fatimatu Abubakar pledged government’s commitment to further improve the country’s press freedom ranking.

“I will also pledge our undying commitment to working towards effort to improve the various indicators used for the press freedom index, ie, social, political, legislature, economic and security indication.