Ghana Selected to Host 6th FAJ Continental Congress of African Journalists

Ghana has been unanimously selected to host the 6th Continental Congress of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), following a bid submitted by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

The meeting behind the decision
The decision was made at a two-day Steering Committee meeting of the FAJ, held in Accra from September 17 to 18 at the Fiesta Royal Hotel. The GJA hosted the gathering, with support from the KGL Group, bringing together leaders of journalists' associations and media organisations from across Africa.

GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour announced the meeting ahead of time, saying it would address critical challenges confronting journalism and journalists across the continent.

Ghana had competed against other bidding countries for the right to host the Congress. FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman was in Accra ahead of the meeting holding engagements with stakeholders.

What else was discussed
Beyond the host selection, the Steering Committee reviewed FAJ's continental work, took organisational and financial decisions, and agreed on collective responses to challenges facing journalists across Africa.

Members assessed attacks on media freedom, violations of journalists' labour rights, and the growing economic pressures facing journalists and news organisations, examining conditions in specific countries and regions.

The committee also received reports on FAJ's activities, including its Pan-African Gender Council and its Working Group on Climate Change, approved financial and independent audit reports, and admitted new affiliated journalist organisations.

At the opening session on September 17, Osman rejected censorship and greater state control of the media as solutions to misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and the misuse of artificial intelligence. He said the continent instead needed strong, independent and professional journalism, backed by effective media and information literacy, to protect public trust and strengthen democratic societies.

He said the Congress itself, expected next year, would bring together journalists' unions and associations from across Africa to discuss common challenges, elect leadership and chart the Federation's future direction, and that decisions taken in Accra should help ensure the Congress is democratic, inclusive and representative.

Background
The FAJ is the continental body representing journalists' unions and associations affiliated with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). It was established in 2007.

Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,

International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding. ( USIP)

[email protected]
+233555275880

References
IFJ, "Ghana: African journalists leaders rally for stronger collective action," Sept. 2026 confirms the unanimous host selection (https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/article/ghana-african-journalists-leaders-rally-for-stronger-collective-action)

The Herald Ghana, "FAJ rejects censorship as answer to disinformation" (https://theheraldghana.com/faj-rejects-censorship-as-answer-to-disinformation/)

Ourhomeland, "Media censorship won't fix disinformation – FAJ" (https://ourhomelandghana.com/media-censorship-wont-fix-disinformation-faj/)

Asaase Radio, "GJA to host FAJ Steering Committee meeting in Accra" (https://asaaseradio.com/gja-to-host-faj-steering-committee-meeting-in-accra/)

The Herald Ghana, "GJA to host FAJ Steering Committee meeting in Accra" (https://theheraldghana.com/gja-to-host-faj-steering-committee-meeting-in-accra/)

Ourhomeland, "African media leaders to meet in Accra for FAJ Steering Committee session" (https://ourhomelandghana.com/african-media-leaders-to-meet-in-accra-for-faj-steering-committee-session/)

DailyGuide Network, "GJA Hosts FAJ Steering Committee Meeting" (https://dailyguidenetwork.com/gja-hosts-faj-steering-committee-meeting/)