President John Dramani Mahama has promised that under his leadership, the Ghanaian government will not tolerate any form of intimidation, interference, or attacks on journalists, as he addressed media practitioners at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Mahama expressed concern over Ghana’s declining press freedom rankings, citing growing threats against journalists and the rise of misinformation.
“The decline in our press freedom rankings is of worrying concern to all of us,” he expressed.
“In 2016 and 2017, we stood tall as a beacon of media independence in Africa. Our journalists worked without fear, and the public debate thrived. In recent years, I must say that promise has faded. The 2025 press freedom index, reflecting the conditions of the press in 2024, recorded another unfortunate decline,” he added.
The President expressed his commitment to protect journalists.
“Let me be unequivocal. Under my leadership, this government will neither sanction nor tolerate any form of intimidation, interference, or attacks on journalists,” he stated.
President Mahama emphasized that his administration is determined to restore the standards of pre-2017 Ghana, where there was better democratic experience.
“We are committed to restoring the spirit of pre-2017, where freedom of expression, institutional respect, and journalistic safety characterize the Ghanaian democratic experience,” he said.
The President’s remarks were applauded by media practitioners attending the awards, who have increasingly faced risks while reporting on sensitive national issues.
His statements highlight a renewed focus on ensuring that journalists can operate without fear and continue to hold institutions accountable.
The 29th GJA Awards, themed “Safeguarding Ghana’s Future: The Role of the Media in Promoting Peace, Security and the Fight Against Galamsey,” honoured excellence in journalism while drawing attention to the challenges confronting the profession in today’s media landscape.