ENDING SECURITY‑DRIVEN VIOLENCE AGAINST JOURNALISTS IN GHANA

Introduction

The 1992 Constitution guarantees freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and the right to information. These rights are not optional; they are binding constitutional provisions that secure the space for public discourse, civic participation, and government accountability. Yet, despite these guarantees, a worrying pattern has emerged over the past decade. An erosion of press freedom through physical assault, arbitrary detention, equipment seizure, and in some cases, outright torture of journalists, often carried out or condoned by state security personnel.

While many have attributed these acts to poor training among certain ranks of our security apparatus, a deeper issue looms large. The failure of the state to consistently hold perpetrators accountable has resulted in a growing culture of impunity. When soldiers who slap or brutalise reporters walk free, when police officers confiscate cameras without consequences, when national security operatives detain and torture journalists without prosecution, a message is sent that power can suppress truth without fear.

In this piece, we examine some of these incidents against journalists and civilians, their implications for our international image.

Documented Incidents of Abuse

Since the 2019 assassination of investigative reporter Ahmed Hussein‑Suale, more than 30 journalists have suffered attacks, detention by military or police forces without proper accountability

• On July 30, 2025, while covering the demolition of a warehouse owned by businessman Daniel McKorley (McDan) at Spintex in Accra, JoyNews reporter Carlos Calony was physically assaulted by National Security operatives.
• In March 2019, two reporters at Ghanaian Times were assaulted and arrested; the assailants, police officers, returned to duty without follow‑
• Also in 2019, Modern Ghana’s Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri was detained, his devices confiscated, and allegedly tortured by officers of the Ministry of National Security. Although a legal settlement was reached, the apology and compensation have never materialised.
• In 2020, journalists Samuel Adobah (TV Africa) and Yussif Abdul Ganiyu (DW) were attacked and detained by military personnel despite promises of redress, compensation, and discipline remaining unfulfilled.
• During the Occupy Julorbi House protests in September 2023, several journalists from Metro TV, JoyNews and the BBC were physically harassed, their equipment seized, and some detained by police officers.

Impact on Ghana’s Press Freedom Ranking

These acts have not gone unnoticed on the international stage. Ghana’s global press freedom ranking, once the envy of West Africa, has slipped dramatically, prompting concern from global rights organisations, foreign missions, and local civil society. At a time when African democracies are under pressure and citizens are demanding more from their governments, Ghana cannot afford to backslide.  Ghana’s reputation for media freedom has declined on the global stage.

• In 2022, Ghana dropped from 30th to 60th in RSF’s ranking, the worst standing in nearly two decades.
• In 2023, the country slipped further to 62nd globally (9th in Africa), with its weakest performance on journalist safety, at a score equating to a virtual ranking of 103^rd.
• Despite a rebound to 50th globally in 2024, challenges persist.

Is President Mahama’s Call to Engage Security Agencies the Right Path?

Activists and the press have urged the government to investigate all attacks on journalists, prosecute violators, and enforce remedies consistently. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has likewise demanded apologies and sanctions where warranted, but without accountability, impunity deepens and press freedom erodes.

Following the physical assault on Carlos Calony (JoyNews reporter), President John Mahama has announced plans to convene a meeting between the GJA, media representatives, and security agencies to reorient security personnel to treat journalists as partners in national development. If this meeting leads to concrete outcomes such as institutional training, officer accountability, and transparent investigation protocols, it would be a step in the right direction.

However, without legally binding commitments and follow-through mechanisms, dialogue risks becoming symbolic. Past incidents like Abugri’s unresolved settlement or Adobah’s unaddressed complaint offer cautionary lessons.

Recommended Roadmap

While President Mahama’s proposal and the interventions outlined by GJA President Albert Dwumfour are commendable first steps, what is urgently required is a comprehensive, enforceable roadmap and accountability mechanisms to permanently halt the recurrence of these abuses.

• We need to investigate and prosecute. There should be an open, independent inquiry into every documented attack with public reporting of progress.
• We must undertake institutional training and establish clear protocols for interaction with journalists and protect their rights during protests, raids, and political events.
• We must also create protected mechanisms through GJA and civil‑society bodies for journalists to report abuse without fear.
• We have to implement media protection clauses within existing human‑rights instruments and criminalise violent offences against journalists with deterrent penalties.

Conclusion

Security‑driven attacks on Ghanaian journalists are not mere isolated incidents; they are systemic threats that jeopardise press independence, democratic accountability, and Ghana’s global media standing.

A collaborative framework that couples presidential engagement with legally enforceable commitments, institutional culture change, and journalists’ protection mechanisms is essential. Only then can Ghana reclaim its rightful place as a beacon of press freedom in Africa.