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The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has issued an ultimatum to authorities to provide a concrete update on the investigation into the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale by the end of March 2025.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra on Wednesday, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour expressed the Association's dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in the six years since Suale’s assassination.
“If by the end of March 2025, we have not seen or heard satisfactory reaction to our demand, we shall proceed to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice to seek resolution of this matter,” Mr Dwumfour stated.
He condemned the failure to arrest any suspects despite the time elapsed and highlighted concerns about the police’s handling of the case.
“What is even more disheartening is the lackadaisical police investigations into the murder. You may recall the shocking disclosure made by the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, in February 2024 that his office had not received from the Police any docket fit for prosecution or action on the murder of Ahmed Suale. This was five years after the murder of the investigative journalist,” he added.
The GJA’s demand follows recent claims by Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare-Obeng (popularly known as A-Plus), that he had provided the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) with information regarding suspected killers of Ahmed Suale.
“He went further to threaten that if the Police did not come public with investigations into the killing, he would be compelled to publish the name of the suspect he submitted to the Police,” Mr Dwumfour revealed.
The comments have raised questions about the willingness and capacity of the police to resolve the case, sparking widespread concern among journalists and advocates for press freedom.
The GJA also intends to take the case of journalist Latif Iddrisu, formerly of Multimedia, to the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice if there is no concrete action from the police by the March 2025 deadline.
Latif was brutally assaulted by unidentified police officers in 2018 while covering a demonstration at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department. The assault left him with a damaged skull, and he has since battled for his life.
“The Police claim they do not have or cannot find evidence for prosecution. They further claim the CCTV at the crime scene was faulty on that fateful day Latif was assaulted. The Police are saying since crime has no expiry date, anytime or day they would find evidence, they would initiate prosecution. We shall proceed to the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice to hear what they will also say on this case,” Mr Dwumfour said.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice-designate, and President John Dramani Mahama to take a keen interest in both cases.
International support
The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) has thrown its weight behind the GJA’s demand for justice. FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman stated that the Federation is closely monitoring the impunity surrounding attacks on journalists in Ghana, particularly the murder of Ahmed Suale.
“The Federation stands in full support of GJA to speak against impunity. We will not hesitate to take the matter to international forums, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Council if the Police fail to bring justice to Ahmed Suale, his family, and all journalists,” he said.
Legal preparedness
The GJA General Secretary Kofi Yeboah disclosed that the Association had sought legal advice and would escalate the matter to the ECOWAS Court if the authorities fail to act.
“We do not appreciate the response from the Police, hence the need to go to the ECOWAS Court should the need arise,” Mr Yeboah said, reiterating the Association’s commitment to pursuing justice for Ahmed Suale and other journalists.
