Oppong Nkrumah calls for stronger measures to protect journalists

Former Information Minister and Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has urged the government to strengthen existing mechanisms for protecting journalists, warning that attacks and intimidation continue to threaten press freedom in Ghana.

He said safeguarding media freedom requires concrete measures to ensure journalists can carry out their work without fear of violence, harassment or other forms of intimidation.

In a statement marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Mr Oppong Nkrumah described attacks on media practitioners as a major threat to freedom of expression and the ability of citizens to participate freely in public discussions.

He noted that violations of press freedom extend beyond physical assaults to include actions intended to silence journalists and restrict the free expression of opinions.

The Ofoase-Ayirebi MP raised concerns about developments over the past one or two years, citing what he described as trumped-up charges, arrests and detentions linked to alleged statements, including instances where national security concerns were invoked.

He cautioned that such practices could weaken public confidence in democratic institutions, urging the government not to become complacent because of perceived goodwill or the silence of some civil society organisations.

Calls for revival of journalist safety mechanism

Mr Oppong Nkrumah highlighted the Coordinated Mechanism on the Safety of Journalists, established through the National Media Commission (NMC) during his tenure as Information Minister, as an important framework for addressing threats and attacks against media practitioners.

The mechanism was designed to provide a structured system for reporting and documenting incidents, following up on complaints and ensuring that the Ghana Police Service investigated reported cases and provided updates on their progress.

He said the arrangement was also intended to strengthen accountability within law enforcement through periodic and annual reports detailing reported incidents and actions taken.

According to him, condemning attacks on journalists would have little impact unless investigations were pursued and those responsible were held accountable.

He recalled raising similar concerns on October 29, 2023, during the 27th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, where he called on the police to accelerate investigations into attacks on journalists and provide regular updates.

At the time, he warned that the growing incidents of attacks posed a threat to Ghana’s democratic credentials.

The intervention also involved working with civil society organisations to educate state and non-state actors on journalists’ safety, as well as supporting media associations to improve working conditions within the industry.

However, Mr Oppong Nkrumah expressed concern that the mechanism was not receiving the attention required to function effectively, urging the current administration to prevent it from becoming dormant.

He argued that revitalising the framework would provide a stronger response to threats against journalists, particularly as the media landscape continues to evolve through the expansion of digital platforms.

He stressed that protecting journalists should be regarded as a collective national responsibility requiring the involvement of government, security agencies, media organisations, civil society groups and the general public.