GJA Demands Justice After Attacks on Journalists by Illegal Miners

April 23, 2025 – Ghana – 

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has strongly condemned recent violent attacks on journalists by illegal miners, known locally as “galamsey” operators, and is urging the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take immediate action. The incidents, which occurred in the Breman Adomanya Forest area, involved journalists who were assaulted while reporting on the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining operations.

The GJA has labeled the attacks as a serious threat to press freedom and the safety of journalists in Ghana. In a public statement, GJA President Albert Dwumfour emphasized that the impunity with which such assaults are carried out is unacceptable and undermines democratic accountability. He warned that without swift arrests and prosecutions, the situation could discourage journalists from reporting on issues of national importance, particularly those involving illegal mining and environmental degradation.

The journalists targeted were on assignment to cover the impact of illegal mining on local communities and natural resources. Reports indicate that they were physically attacked, had their equipment damaged, and were threatened by the miners. The assailants reportedly attempted to prevent the journalists from filming and gathering evidence of ongoing illegal activity in the protected forest area.

In response, the GJA has called on the IGP to identify and prosecute those responsible. The association also urged the police to provide better protection for journalists, especially when covering high-risk assignments involving powerful or armed groups.

Media watchdogs and civil society organizations have echoed the GJA’s concerns, warning that the growing hostility towards journalists in Ghana threatens to reverse recent gains in media freedom and transparency. They argue that protecting journalists is not just about upholding press freedom, but about defending the public’s right to information.

As environmental and anti-corruption reporting becomes increasingly dangerous in Ghana, the GJA’s call to action stands as a reminder that media workers need strong institutional backing to do their job safely and effectively. The time to act, the GJA says, is now.

Reference –

https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/The-time-to-act-is-now-GJA-demands-action-from-IGP-over-attacks-on-journalists-1982979

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/africa/ghana/gja-condemns-attack-on-journalists-by-illegal-miners-at-breman-adomanya-forest/ar-AA1zQAHp

GJA condemns attack on journalists by galamsey operators, demands swift justice