The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has issued a stern rebuke to the Ghana Police Service, urging the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take decisive and immediate steps in advancing the long-stalled investigation into the brutal murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale.
Speaking during the 2025 World Press Freedom Day and Honours Night, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of press freedom in Ghana.
He disclosed that 11 journalists were assaulted in the month of February alone, painting a grim picture of the risks media practitioners continue to face.
“Our situation is alarming—both economically and in terms of safety. The climate for journalism is becoming increasingly hostile. We’ve repeatedly called on the police to treat attacks on journalists as the serious crimes they are.”
“The continued failure to bring Ahmed Suale’s murderers to justice only emboldens attackers and feeds the culture of impunity. The time for action is long overdue—we expect the IGP to act now,” he stated.
Joining the call for reforms, Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, shifted attention to the digital domain. Addressing the growing influence of artificial intelligence in journalism, he warned of its potential to fuel misinformation if left unchecked.
He cautioned, “AI poses both promise and peril. If we are not deliberate in how we regulate it, we risk compromising press freedom through the spread of disinformation. We urgently need national and regional policies that strike a balance—supporting innovation while protecting the core values of journalism such as transparency, truth, and accountability.”
The event concluded on a somber note, with renewed calls for justice, safety for journalists, and a commitment to preserving the integrity of the media in an increasingly volatile environment.