Ghana has been selected to host the 6th Continental Congress of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) after the FAJ Steering Committee unanimously approved the bid submitted by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
The decision was taken at a two-day meeting of the FAJ Steering Committee held in Accra from September 17 to 18, 2026.
The successful bid means Ghana will bring together affiliated journalists’ unions and associations from across Africa for the next FAJ Continental Congress.
The Congress is expected to determine the Federation’s programme and priorities, elect its leadership for the next mandate and provide an opportunity for journalists’ organisations to engage with solidarity organisations and cooperating partners.
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The hosting decision comes at a time when journalists and media organisations across Africa are facing growing concerns over media freedom, attacks against journalists, labour rights violations and increasing economic pressures within the media industry.
The FAJ Steering Committee called for stronger collective action to defend journalists’ rights and safeguard journalism across the continent.
Ghana’s selection follows the country’s hosting of the FAJ Steering Committee meeting, which was organised by the GJA with support from KGL Group.
During their visit to Accra, FAJ leaders also met President John Dramani Mahama to discuss issues including media freedom, journalists’ safety, information integrity and the role of independent and quality journalism in Africa’s democratic and development agenda.
The FAJ leadership encouraged Ghana to play a leading role in continental efforts to strengthen media freedom and create a safer professional environment for journalists.
FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman said growing attacks on journalists, restrictions on media freedoms, violations of labour rights and economic insecurity require a stronger and better-organised response from journalists across Africa.
He called for stronger professional journalism, wider media and information literacy and sustained efforts to protect information integrity.
Mr Osman said African journalists would confront the challenges facing the profession through stronger organisation, mobilisation and collective action.
President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, in his speech drew attention to the welfare and working conditions of journalists.
He called for practical measures to improve journalists’ safety and professional security, as well as closer cooperation among journalists and media organisations.
The FAJ Steering Committee also approved the Federation’s financial and independent audit reports as part of its deliberations in Accra.
The Committee admitted four new journalists’ organisations into FAJ membership and adopted a new communication strategy aimed at increasing the voice and visibility of the Pan-African journalists’ movement.
With Ghana now confirmed as host of the 6th FAJ Continental Congress, preparations are expected to feature prominently in the Federation’s activities in the coming months.
The Congress will provide a continental platform for journalists’ organisations to deliberate on the future of journalism in Africa, determine FAJ’s priorities and elect its leadership for the next mandate.
The hosting decision also further positions Ghana as a venue for continental discussions on media freedom, journalists’ rights, professional standards and the sustainability of journalism.