Programmes Director for Freedom of Expression and Digital Rights at the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Dora Boamah Mawutor, has called for improved collaboration between the media and security agencies to address the rising incidents of attacks against journalists in Ghana.
She said a stronger and mutually respectful relationship between journalists and security personnel, grounded in a clear appreciation of each other’s mandates, was critical to safeguarding press freedom and strengthening democratic governance.
Madam Mawutor made the call at a media and security dialogue held in Tamale, which brought together representatives of security services, journalists, media managers, civil society organisations and academics from the Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East, and Upper West Regions.
The dialogue, organised by MFWA, was in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN), and the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG).
It was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, co-financed by the European Union and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, and implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance.
The session featured accounts from media practitioners who detailed experiences of harassment, assault, and intimidation in the line of duty.
Madam Mawutor stressed that attacks, intimidation, and harassment against journalists—including those allegedly involving some security officers—harmed not only individual journalists and media houses but also eroded public trust, shrank civic space, and damaged Ghana’s reputation as a democratic and press freedom leader in West Africa.
She called for stiffer sanctions against perpetrators, stating that impunity fuelled the recurrence of violations.
“The media and the security services play complementary roles in Ghana’s democratic progress. When journalists work without fear and security agencies carry out their duties professionally and with respect for rights, the whole country benefits,” she said.
Madam Mawutor explained that the dialogue formed part of regional engagements aimed at rebuilding trust, strengthening cooperation, and developing practical mechanisms to prevent future violations against journalists.
Senior lecturer at the Department of Communication, University of Ghana, Dr Gilbert Tietaah, said journalist safety remained a cornerstone of transparent and accountable governance, adding that the media could not effectively serve the public interest under fear or intimidation.
He urged both state and non-state actors to prioritise media protection.
Northern Regional Chairman of the GJA, Yakubu Abdul-Majeed, underscored the need for improved safety for journalists, particularly those operating in high-risk environments or covering sensitive issues. He appealed to security agencies to see journalists as partners in development and urged media practitioners to uphold professionalism.
Participants agreed on the need for continuous engagement, open communication, and joint accountability frameworks to protect journalists while enabling security agencies to discharge their duties effectively.
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