The government will meet with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) next week to discuss concerns over attacks on journalists, Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, announced at a press briefing at the presidency on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu said his discussions with GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, led to an agreement for direct engagement to address the matter.

The GJA, at a press conference on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, urged President John Mahama to take a personal interest in cases of assaults on journalists and push for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

The association cited six incidents within a week in February, including attacks in Kumasi and Walewale.

It also referenced unresolved cases such as the 2019 murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale and the 2018 assault on Joy News reporter Latif Iddrisu.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged concerns over journalist safety but stressed that incidents involving private individuals should be treated as law enforcement matters.

He cited the case of Erastus Asare Donkor of the Multimedia Group, who was allegedly attacked by illegal miners while reporting on their activities.

“These were people already breaking the law. Their actions must be dealt with as criminal offences,” he said.

He also addressed reports of journalists being assaulted while covering the Ashanti Regional Council of State election on February 11, 2025.

“If individuals attack journalists at a public event, that is a breakdown of law and order, not a directive from the government,” he noted.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu assured journalists that President Mahama values press freedom and has maintained a strong relationship with the media throughout his career.

“He is a member of the Ghana Journalists Association and has always welcomed open engagement with journalists, even when criticised,” he said.

He encouraged journalists who face threats or violence to report such cases through legal channels, adding that the government is willing to support efforts to seek justice.