Ghana's leader has pledged to restore the nation's standing as a continental model for press independence while vowing zero tolerance for attacks on journalists. During the 29th awards ceremony hosted by the Ghana Journalists Association in Kumasi, President John Dramani Mahama expressed alarm over the country's declining rank in global press freedom measurements and called for deliberate action to reclaim its 2017 status as an African leader in media liberty.
Mahama disclosed that probes into election-related violence against reporters and citizens from 2020 and 2024 have concluded, with 21 suspects identified and nine already facing legal proceedings through arrests or detention. The president emphasized that public service constitutes a public trust rather than an entitlement, while urging news professionals to balance their constitutional protections with ethical reporting standards.
He cautioned against rushing unverified information to publication, warning that accuracy and fairness remain essential to journalistic credibility and democratic health.
Mahama disclosed that probes into election-related violence against reporters and citizens from 2020 and 2024 have concluded, with 21 suspects identified and nine already facing legal proceedings through arrests or detention. The president emphasized that public service constitutes a public trust rather than an entitlement, while urging news professionals to balance their constitutional protections with ethical reporting standards.
He cautioned against rushing unverified information to publication, warning that accuracy and fairness remain essential to journalistic credibility and democratic health.
