Hon. Sam George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to safeguarding press freedom and ensuring that persons who attack journalists face the law, irrespective of their status or influence. He gave the assurance while delivering the keynote address at a forum organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) on the theme “Ending Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists in Ghana: Strengthening Safety, Accountability and Press Freedom.”
The forum, held to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, also saw the launch of the Model Safety of Journalists Policy. The policy provides media houses with a framework to protect journalists from physical, digital, legal and psychological threats. Mr. George described a free and independent press as vital to democracy, noting Ghana’s rise to 39th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, up from 52nd in 2025, and fourth in Africa.
He credited the improvement to the government’s openness, engagement and accountability under President John Dramani Mahama. Despite the progress, the Minister admitted that assaults on media professionals persist, warning that impunity could embolden further attacks. He called for swift reporting, impartial investigations, regular updates to victims and prosecution where necessary, stressing that “no uniform, no office, no party card and no private influence should place anyone above the law.”In his opening remarks, MFWA Executive Director, Sulemana Braimah, expressed concern over the safety of journalists across West Africa, pointing to rising violations against media workers in the region. He said tackling impunity is essential to protecting the public’s right to information.
