'Dumsor' affects Ghana’s ranking on World Press Freedom Index – GJA President

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, has expressed concern over the impact of erratic power supply on the country's press freedom ranking.

Speaking at the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day in Koforidua on Friday, Albert Dwumfuor stated that the fluctuating power supply, also known as "dumsor," is affecting the performance of media houses and, consequently, Ghana's position in the World Press Freedom Index.

"We want to add our voice to the numerous calls on the Electricity Company of Ghana to provide a timetable for electricity supply to save media houses from economic losses that would ultimately affect the press freedom ranking of the country," Dwumfuor stated.

Meanwhile, Ghana has improved its position in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, climbing from 62nd in 2023 to 50th place, according to Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor.

Last year, Ghana experienced a decline in its ranking on the annual Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) for the second consecutive year.

Albert Dwumfuor attributed the 2024 success to "the aggressive actions of the GJA to defend journalistic freedom, which have been instrumental in our rise in the rankings.".

This aligns with the global theme of World Press Freedom Day 2024, "Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the environmental crisis.".