Speaking at the opening of a three-day capacity-building workshop organised by the Ghana Chamber of Mines in Kumasi, Mr. Dwumfour expressed concern over the persistent destruction of water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands caused by illegal mining.

He lamented that successive governments had failed to demonstrate the political will necessary to address the menace.

“Galamsey is no longer just a threat to individual well-being but a national security threat. Chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, and deformities in children are all linked to galamsey and the use of harmful chemicals in certain operations,” he warned.

Mr. Dwumfour urged journalists to “dig deeper” and hold duty bearers accountable, emphasising that the media must go beyond highlighting the negatives to advocating for responsible mining practices and prudent use of mining revenues.

“The question is, when will Ghana see an end to this menace? We have a huge role to play as journalists. Colleagues, whilst it’s easy to focus on the negative, it’s our responsibility to push duty bearers to root out illegal mining and ensure that revenues earned from mining are used judiciously for the benefit of the people, who are the real owners of the nation’s minerals,” he said.

He added, “We must understand the intricacies of mining policy, the economic benefits, and the innovative solutions being explored to make mining sustainable and environmentally friendly.”

Source: AdomOnline

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Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Dwumfour said poor remuneration remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the profession in Ghana, despite the country’s vibrant and relatively free media landscape.

“Our position on the World Press Freedom Index is not only influenced by physical attacks but also by economic indicators. Journalists’ pay is not encouraging. Some media houses even prefer volunteers so they don’t have to pay salaries, and this undermines professionalism and standards,” he lamented.

He described the situation in state-owned media as particularly alarming, noting that these institutions, which operate under government control, have some of the worst salary conditions.

“We all know salaries of workers everywhere aren’t encouraging, but for the state media, it is theft—it is so unfair,” he said bluntly.

Mr. Dwumfour cautioned that without urgent reforms—such as tax reliefs and improved pay—the survival of state media and the credibility of journalism in Ghana could be jeopardized.

“The media plays a vital role in national development. We fight for others, but we don’t fight for ourselves. If we don’t strengthen state media, it will collapse. The situation is dire,” he warned.

Source: Farida Seidu | Adomonline

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Speaking on his tenure during an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Dwumfour said his administration has made significant progress in creating a safer and freer media environment.

He emphasized that attacks on journalists, especially during elections, have significantly declined under his leadership.

“Thankfully, I have achieved a lot in my tenure, but what I consider my hallmark is that I have safeguarded the rights of journalists. If I die today, I’ll rest in peace knowing I contributed to protecting the lives and dignity of media practitioners,” he stated.

He noted that before his reforms, attacks on journalists often went unpunished.

“Gone are the days when journalists were assaulted and perpetrators walked free. Today, with pressure on state institutions and our strong advocacy, we are seeing real accountability,” he said.

Mr. Dwumfour cited the 2024 general election as a milestone, noting that for the first time in recent history, no journalist was attacked before, during, or after the polls.

“Historically, during election years, attacks on journalists averaged around 24. However, as we approached 2024, after our radical move of laying down our tools before, during, and after the elections, not a single journalist was attacked across the country.”

“This shows that our message on journalist safety has taken root. The men in uniform are now more aware, and that’s progress we are proud of,” he added.

Watch the video below:

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Dwumfour said the GJA has undergone a significant transformation under his tenure—moving from an “inactive” to a “proactive” institution capable of holding power to account.

“It would be painful to start building something, lay the foundation, and not be allowed to complete it. Before I became president, the GJA wasn’t regarded. But today, the association is respected, and that means we are doing something right,” he said.

He added that the GJA now commands respect in national discourse, citing recent bold actions—such as blacklisting politicians who attack journalists—as signs of a stronger and more assertive media body.

“For the first time under my administration, we were called a legacy administration. But we’ve only achieved 40% of our vision. There’s a long way to go, and that is why a second term is necessary—to secure this legacy,” he stressed.

Mr. Dwumfour’s comments come as he formally declares his intention to seek re-election as GJA President, promising to consolidate the gains made and push for deeper reforms to empower the media as the “Fourth Estate of the Realm.”

Watch the video below:

According to him, every journalist would have access to all processes without hindrance.

“We want to assure all journalists that they will have full access to cover the elections without any interference. The EC cannot restrict media coverage if we are to maintain transparency and accountability throughout the process,” Mr. Dwumfuor stated.

He explained that restricting media access would undermine the integrity of the election process, depriving it of transparency and limiting access to critical information.

“The EC must give unfettered access to the media at all levels of voting and the collation of ballots. Transparency is key to ensuring a fair process,” he added.

Mr. Dwumfuor further revealed that GJA, together with the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), was working on a proposal for the EC to clarify the role of the media in this election.

“We are finalizing our proposal and will present it to the EC by the end of today,” he confirmed.

It was noted in a memo from the EC dated November 25, 2024 that only eight media organizations would be accredited to cover collation activities in the constituencies.

However, Mr. Dwumfuor in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, encouraged journalists to remain calm.

“Restricting media access will not serve the best interest of transparency, accountability, and access to information. These are all critical to the success of the elections and the fight against misinformation and disinformation, which is a significant concern this year,” he said.

Mr. Dwumfuor urged all stakeholders to remain responsible.

“Let us all be guided by our godly responsibilities and not be selective in how we handle media access. We are committed to working with the EC to ensure that no one will be restricted,” he concluded.

Speaking at the 75th Anniversary Public Lecture Series held in Ho under the theme “75 Years of Excellence in Journalism: Shaping the Future,” Mr Dwumfour highlighted the increasing attacks on journalists.

“Attacks on journalists are an attack on media freedom. In 2024 alone, the GJA imposed a media blackout on some government officials following attacks on three journalists while they were on duty.”

Additionally, Mr. Dwumfour appealed to the Attorney General to expedite action on the Ahmed Suale murder case.

He also urged anyone with information about those responsible for Suale’s murder to assist the Police in their investigation.

“Let me use this anniversary lecture to call on the government to intensify its collaboration with the GJA in ensuring the safety and security of journalists in Ghana. We also wish to use this platform to appeal to the Attorney General to expedite action on the Ahmed Suale murder case.Five years have passed since the murder of the investigative journalist, yet there appears to be no progress.

“The GJA shall continue to put pressure on state authorities to demand justice for Ahmed Suale,” Mr. Dwumfour emphasized.

Mr. Dwumfour highlighted the crucial role of public support in the media’s success and called for collaboration to address Ghana’s developmental challenges.

He stressed that the anniversary theme serves as a timely reminder to reflect on the practice of journalism in Ghana and how it can be shaped to endure.

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Mr Dwumfour has said the report will bring closure and help people, particularly Mr Suale’s family rest.

“As we speak today, we still haven’t gotten anywhere with investigations. The Attorney-General will come out and tell you that he has still not received any docket fit for prosecution.

“If you have not received a docket fit for prosecution, why don’t you make the docket you have received known to the public? It means that there’s still a docket, if it’s not fit for prosecution, give us the state of the investigative report on the matter. So that at least we can all go to sleep and say that this is what the police have gotten to,” he said in an interview on Accra-based Citi TV.

Ahmed was shot dead near his family house in Madina, Accra on January 16, 2019.

After five years, the unresolved and brutal killing of the investigative journalist of Tiger Eye PI by unknown assailants remains a troubling issue.

On February 20, 2024, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, revealed that his office has not received any docket fit for prosecution or action.

The Minister noted that four suspects were initially detained to assist with investigation but  were later released on police enquiry bail after eyewitnesses failed to identify them.

But Mr Dwumfour is of the view that security agencies have not been serious in resolving the issue.

“We are in this country where police officers were shot dead and in a matter of 24/48 hours, police have arrested [suspects]. Without any lead, they have been arrested and prosecuted, and some are on remand. So, that should tell you the unseriousness the security agencies or companies attach to the attacks on the media. This very real,” he pointed out,” he stated.

The GJA President also raised concerns on assaults on journalists and the inaction from security agencies.

“When was the last time you heard that a politician or a perpetrator of an attack on the media has been placed behind bars? They don’t take issues concerning the media very seriously,” he added.

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Speaking at an event on May 7, the Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the OSP, Sammy Darko, alleged that some influential persons are behind sponsored attacks by individuals, including some journalists.

He said “And then we also face what we call sponsored attacks and propaganda where those who are very rich and powerful when you are investigating them, they tend to be able to offer some monetary incentive to even journalists and they will consistently be attacking you and spewing counter and false information against your outfit.

“All in a hope to create that impression that we are all the same. Nobody is perfect. Why are you trying to prosecute somebody and investigate somebody as if you are a saint?

“But the idea is that those of us in the anti-corruption industry are not saint. We are just trying to go by the law.”

However, the President of GJA Albert Dwumfour disagrees.

He argued that there have been instances where the media has lauded the work of the OSP, and therefore, it was not right for the anti-corruption agency to take such a stance.

“The media publishes news and communicates positive news about the OSP. The OSP recently was commended especially in the case of Cecilia Dapaah.

“When they [OSP] actually stepped in when no one was expecting them to because Cecilia Dapaah was a Minister of state for that matter under the current administration, the media commended them. Should we say that they paid the media to do that?” he quizzed.

Although Mr Dwumfour admitted that some media practitioners are not properly remunerated, he said it did not imply that they would ignore the ethics of the job for monetary inducements.

“What we are saying is that, we ought to now look at ways of improving the working conditions of journalists, improving the lives of journalist so that such temptation will not even surface. So what the OSP is saying and trying to indict the media, we disagree,”he added.

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According to him, the campaign in the past reduced the menace and has charged journalists to renew it.

He asserted that the state of Ghana’s waterbodies would have improved by now if the vibrancy and publicity on the illegality had continued.

Mr Dwumfour was speaking during the World Press Freedom Day 2024 commemoration at the Koforidua Technical University on Friday, May 3.

“The GJA seeks to lead a strong media campaign for the protection of the environment and the good of the country. In that regard, we wish to call on the media to resume the concerted campaign against illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’.

“In the past, our collective action in the fight against ‘galamsey’ yielded positive results, as we brought the issues to national attention for action.

“But for the retrogression in action by duty bearers, sanity would have prevailed, and our land and water bodies would have been healed by now. That notwithstanding, withdrawing from our duty, as we have done now, is more harmful to the nation,” he stated.

Aside from the galamsey campaign, he urged journalists to proritise sanitation and climate change.

“Apart from ‘galamsey’, the GJA wishes to call on the media to focus on and address other environmental issues such as sanitation and climate change. We will soon announce a comprehensive agenda on these environmental concerns,” he added.

He also made a clarion call on duty bearers to take responsibility and take significant actions to combat deforestation.

“We also urge duty bearers to accept responsibility by taking significant actions to combat this scourge, such as deforestation, which has the potential to devastate our land,” he urged.

This comes a few weeks after statesman, Sir Sam Jonah expressed worry galamsey issues no longer make headlines.

Delivering the keynote address to set the tone for the launch of the 75th Anniversary celebration, Sir Jonah said it was a shame and pity, adding the price of the continued silence is too grave to fathom.”

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The military officer, Lance Corporal Michael Danso was shot on Tuesday at Millennium City over an alleged land dispute around 4:20 pm.

The Police have since arrested a suspect, Benlord Ababio in connection with the murder and is assisting with investigations.

Speaking at the Koforidua Technical University on Friday, May 3 during the World Press Freedom Day 2024 commemoration, the GJA President described the soldier’s murder as the “depth of insanity”.

“The media have the mandate to uphold the 1992 Constitution, and that includes the human rights provisions under Chapter 5 of the Constitution. It is based on such mandate that we condemn the recent killing of a soldier at Millennium City near Kasoa over a land dispute.

“To attack and kill a soldier without provocation is the depth of insanity any human being can sink to. Under normal circumstances, the military would have launched a reprisal attack on Millennium City by now, and whenever they did so, they were condemned for violating the rights of innocent people,” he said. 

Mr. Kwabena Dwumfour commended the military for showing restraint following the murder of their colleague.

He also called on the public to refrain from attacking officers but rather show respect to them.

“While commending the military for exercising restraint in the face of extreme provocation, we call on the Police to investigate the matter as quickly as possible and prosecute the killer. We also appeal to the general public to respect security officers and refrain from attacking them,” he urged.

The GJA President further urged Ghanaians to recognize and appreciate the efforts of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in safeguarding the nation’s stability.

“Let me take this occasion to urge all Ghanaians to appreciate officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, who have played an important part in our country’s stability. They also safeguard our country’s territorial integrity, and we must always support them.”

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He emphasized that, if public officials fail to tolerate journalists, journalists will choose to stay away from them.

His comments follow alleged attacks by some public officers on journalists after which the GJA issued a directive to blacklist these individuals.

Mr. Dwumfuor, speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme underscored the need for journalists to be protected.

This, he stated will help journalists put public officers on their toes devoid of threats.

“If you can’t accommodate journalists, stay away from them. Allow us to work freely else we will stay away from you. We can’t work where we are being threatened. It is within our constitutional rights so we can’t keep doing the same thing and expect a change. If you attack one journalist, you have attacked the entire media so you don’t expect us to be quiet about it,” he said.

Watch video below:

According to him, the GJA has gotten the police involved in recent attacks on journalists but the Service has not responded to their plea.

The GJA President indicated that, the only option left was to blacklist those who attack journalists.

Mr. Dwumfour on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday said the Police is being biased in their procedure citing the swiftness with which they responded to the murder of the Jirapa Dubai hotel CEO but have ignored journalists.

“Dampare and his team have failed the media. The confidence journalists had in him has gone down. There are several instances of attacks on journalists but nothing has been done. The swiftness with which they made arrests of the Jirapa Dubai’s CEO murder shows they are biased. We have followed due processes but still has yielded no results. So blacklisting was our last option,” he said.

The GJA president also called for a reassessment of the system to enable journalists work without fear or favour.

“The system needs to provide an enabling environment for journalists to thrive, to be able to discharge their duty without fear or favor. But if that system doesn’t care and doesn’t prosecute assaulters then we have a problem. The situation is abnormal if the system can’t protect us especially when the attack is increasing,” Mr. Dwumfuor said.

President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has said the Police have not been forthcoming with the progress of investigation on Ahmed Suale‘s death.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Dumfour stated he suspects there is something the police are not telling Ghanaians.

However, he could not figure out what was holding up the police on the investigation.

Ahmed Suale was gunned down by unidentified men about 100 metres from his family house following months of threats of violence against him in 2019.

Despite police assurances of progress and two arrests – nobody has been tried or convicted in the journalist’s murder after four years.

The heinous crime sent shock waves across the media landscape and scared many journalists, who openly expressed fear for their lives.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, at a forum organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa, expressed concern over the delay in arresting the perpetrators.

At the Annual GJA Dinner Night on December 21, 2022, in Accra, President Nana Akufo-Addo, who also expressed concern, assured that the murderers would be brought to book.

But Mr Dwumfour says he cannot wrap his head around the posture of the police considering the fact that they have prosecutorial powers.

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He stated GJA is saddened by the deafening silence and lack of action by the state authorities to bring the perpetrators of Ahmed Hussein Suale’s murder to book.

The President has, therefore, called on the police to bring closure on the matter, especially for the sake of the bereaved family.

“It’s been four years and the police are saying nothing. Even if they have not been able to make any arrest or whatever, they should let us know the state of the investigation,” he appealed.

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has warned the era of attacks on journalists in their line of duty is in the past.

Mr Dwumfour has reiterated the role of the media in nation-building cannot be overemphasised and impunity against journalists must be a concern to the world.

“There are two legs of the law; civil and criminal so the police can decide to trivialise the matter when it happens but GJA will not allow that and we have set up a fund for that course.

“Regardless of whether you are a politician, security personnel or whoever, you can no longer take the journalist for granted,” he stated.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, he explained GJA is putting a team of legal brains to fight for their own course.

“There are a lot of journalists who are also legal practitioners now; Samson Lardy, Sammy Darko, Zakaria Tanko among others so we will put them together and also get a lawyer we will retain at the Press Centre to see to this. So you can attack journalists and see,” he declared.

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Mr Dwomfour maintained GJA will not relent when journalists are attacked going forward as their safety is a priority.

The support fund he indicated will also support retired journalists aside ensuring the safety of those in active service.

Listen to Mr Dwomfour in the audio above:

The hearing of the case, which begun on Monday (August 22, 2022) at an Accra High Court, (General Jurisdiction 10) saw the Court adjourning the case to the 11th of October 2022.

The Plaintiff’s lawyer told the Court, presided over by Justice Nyadu, that, he (Plantiff’s lawyer) had not been served with any process from the Defendants’ lawyer after they had been served with the summons but the judge explained to him that, Counsel for the 3rd Defendant was out of the country on a legal vacation, adding that, he (Counsel for 3rd Defendant) has, however, entered appearance.

Lawyer for the Plaintiff could not fathom why lawyer for the Defendant had travelled out when the case was being heard but the judge insisted that all lawyers were entitled to their legal vacation, including he (Plaintiff’s lawyer), hence the 3rd Defendant’s lawyer cannot be faulted for having taken his legal vacation.

The judge further reminded the Plaintiff’s lawyer that he had every right to argue for cost to be awarded against the 3rd Defendant, insisting that, the issue of legal vacation is, however, not debatable.

Justice Nyadu, therefore, adjourned the case to the 11th of October 2022 without awarding cost, after lawyer for the Plaintiff had tried unsuccessfully to convince the judge to award cost against him.

Meanwhile, Plaintiff in the case, Justice Adoboe, was absent in court and was also not represented.

The 3rd Defendant was, however, represented by his Executive Secretary, Efo Petit Mawugbe.