The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is urging journalists to provide appropriate security for reporting on illegal small-scale mining issues from domestic mining sites.
GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour called out about issues and issues relating to media freedom facing the country at a press conference held in Accra on Wednesday.
According to Dwumfour, the GJA had observed that the various “Galamsy” intervention measures deployed by the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources did not include security measures to ensure the protection of journalists reported from the Garamsy site.
He explained that the media was a key stakeholder in the fight against Garamsie as it played a key role and shed light on areas related to illegal small-scale mining activities that could be hidden from the government.
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Therefore, Dwumfour urged the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources to prioritize media safety and protection when deploying Galamsey’s intervention programme and measures.
He praised Minister of Land and Natural Resources Emmanuel Alma Kofi Bua for his show of commitment and dedication that has been obsessed with the fight against illegal small-scale mining since his appointment.
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Dwumfour expressed concern over the delay in the launch of a new National Media Committee (NMC) after the end of the old committee’s tenure last November.
He further explained that the checks conducted by the GJA on the issue indicate that the delay in the inauguration of the new NMC is due to some components still being late in submitting appointments to the NMC Secretariat.
“As we speak, there is no NMC. The committee’s term expired in November 2024, but the new committee has not been in office since. Our checks show that some members are still late in submitting their appointments to the NMC’s Secret Bureau.
He said the absence of the NMC was a “dangerous and undesirable” situation for the media and the country as a whole.
Therefore, he urged members who were still late to submit their appointments to the NMC Secretariat without delay to pave the way for the inauguration of the new NMC.
Additionally, Dwumfour urged the NMC Secretariat to proceed with the inauguration of previous nominations to ensure that work can be started while others wait for later to participate.
Again, Dwumfour said the GJA has directed its legal team to take immediate action to begin a judicial review of the law in which the special prosecutor operates.
This follows the decision by the office Special Counsel (OSP) to detain journalist George Asare Bediako, he said, claiming that Special Counsel Kiffo Ajeven had requested the government of Akufo-Addo to purchase a private jet for official use.
