President John Dramani Mahama’s administration has addressed reports of attacks on journalists and denied that it is behind the most recent assaults.
The increase in attacks on journalists under President Mahama’s government has been condemned by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), which called the situation “unprecedented.”
According to GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, seven cases of journalist assaults have been recorded since the beginning of President Mahama’s tenure, just over 50 days ago.
Albert Dwumfour expressed serious concern over the lack of accountability for those responsible, criticizing the government’s inaction in addressing the issue.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, spokesperson for President Mahama, addressing a press briefing at the Jubilee House dismissed claims that the government is responsible for the recent assaults on journalists.
Kwakye Ofosu described the narrative as “most regrettable” and unfair to President Mahama, the government, the GJA, and the journalists reported to have been attacked.
“It was claimed that seven journalists had been attacked… statements were made to create the impression that there is some design by Mahama and his government to attack journalists. It is a most regrettable narrative. We do not think that it is fair to President Mahama, it is fair to the government, it is even fair to the GJA or even to the journalists who are reported to have been attacked,” Kwakye Ofosu stated.
“I sought to find out exactly what informed that press conference and why other alternative approaches were not adopted to discuss the matters with the view to seeking redress for those who might have been affected. After the conversation, we agreed that early next week there should be a direct interaction between my office and the GJA,” he explained.
Kwakye Ofosu emphasized that President Mahama would never supervise a dispensation where journalists are attacked, citing the President’s affable nature and good standing with the GJA.
He also revealed that he had engaged the President of the GJA to discuss the issues and find out what informed the press conference.
“All of you are aware that President Mahama is an easy-going, down-to-earth, affable individual who relates well with all manner of people. He is a member of the GJA in good standing. Essentially, he is one of you and therefore he will be the last person to supervise a dispensation where journalists are attacked,” he stressed.
Kwakye Ofosu also refuted the notion that the government was unhappy with certain journalists and was carrying out reprisals against them.
“The way that the press conference was addressed and the way that the matters were couched created the impression that some journalists had perhaps said or written something that the government was unhappy about and therefore, the government was carrying out reprisals against them.
“But that is completely incorrect. It is not true and nothing of the sort has happened,” he affirmed.
The GJA has been vocal about its concerns regarding journalists safety and press freedom.
In December 2023, the GJA President declared that the association would “fight back fearlessly” against media attacks in 2024.
The recent attacks on journalists have sparked widespread concern among media practitioners and civil society organizations.
The GJA has urged President Mahama to take a personal interest in these cases, referencing his past commitments to media freedom. Kwakye Ofosu has agreed to have a direct interaction between his office and the GJA early next week to address any concerns that journalists may have.
