*African journalists’ leaders select Ghana unanimously at Accra Steering
Committee meeting
Ghana has won the bid to host the 6th Continental Congress of the Federation of African
Journalists (FAJ) following a unanimous decision by the FAJ Steering Committee at its
meeting in Accra.
The decision was taken after the Committee considered the bid submitted by the Ghana
Journalists Association (GJA) during its two-day meeting held from September 17 to 18, 2026.
The Congress will bring together affiliated journalists’ unions and associations from across
Africa to determine FAJ’s programme and priorities, elect its leadership for the next mandate
and engage with solidarity organisations and cooperating partners.
The successful bid comes as African journalists confront growing challenges, including attacks
on media freedom, violations of journalists’ labour rights and increasing economic pressures on
journalists and media organisations.
The Steering Committee, at the Accra meeting, called for stronger collective action to defend
journalists’ rights and safeguard journalism across the continent.
Ghana’s Growing Role
The decision follows Ghana’s hosting of the FAJ Steering Committee meeting, which was hosted
by the GJA with support from KGL Group.
During their stay in Accra, FAJ leaders also met President John Dramani Mahama to discuss
media freedom, the safety of journalists, information integrity and the role of independent and
quality journalism in Africa’s democratic and development agenda.
Ghana was encouraged to play a leading role in continental efforts to strengthen media freedom
and promote a safer environment for journalists.
Stronger African Media Voice
FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman said the growing attacks on journalists, restrictions on their
freedoms, labour rights violations and economic insecurity required a stronger and better-
organised response.
He called for stronger professional journalism, wider media and information literacy and
sustained efforts to protect information integrity.
Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, Mr Osman said African journalists would respond
to the challenges facing the profession through stronger organisation, mobilisation and collective
action.
GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour also highlighted the welfare and working
conditions of journalists, calling for practical measures to improve their 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, admitted four new journalists’ organisations to membership and adopted a new
communication strategy to increase the voice and visibility of the Pan-African journalists’
movement.
The successful bid means Ghana will now host the 6th FAJ Continental Congress, with
preparations expected to form part of the Federation’s work in the coming months.
END
