President John Dramani Mahama has assured journalists that his government will take action whenever media practitioners are attacked or assaulted while performing their professional duties.
He said journalists covering lawful assignments must be able to return safely to their newsrooms, stressing that threats, assaults and obstruction of journalists must be investigated promptly and impartially.
Speaking at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, President Mahama expressed concern about the conduct of some security personnel who, he said, consistently harass media practitioners while carrying out their duties.
He disclosed that he had discussed the issue with the leadership of the GJA and commanders of the security agencies.
“We will continue to take action whenever a media person is unfairly assaulted while performing their duties,” he stated.
President Mahama further stressed that the protection of journalists must apply regardless of who is involved, adding that public officials have a particular responsibility to respect the rights of media practitioners.
He also remembered the late investigative journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale, whose killing he described as a painful reminder of the risks investigative journalists face.
The President said Ahmed Suale’s family deserved justice and that journalists who receive threats for pursuing difficult stories must have confidence that their complaints will be taken seriously.
The 30th GJA Media Awards was held under the theme: “Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age.”
