The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has condemned the recent assault on JoyNews’ Latif Iddrisu during the protest of the Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Chairman Wontumi.
At a press briefing on June 10, 2025, GJA President, Albert Dwumfuor said the GJA stands in solidarity with Latif Iddrisu and the Multimedia Group Limited.
“The GJA vehemently condemns the unacceptable attack on our brother and Latif. This egregious act of violence against journalist in their line of duty is a direct assault on press freedom, democratic principles and the fundamental right of citizens,” he said.
According to the GJA, the swift arrest of a suspect serves a strong signal that assault against journalist will not be tolerated and that the rule of law will always prevail.
Read full text below:
SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE GHANA JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION, ALBERT DWUMFOUR AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TO UPDATE THE MEDIA ON ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND OTHER MATTERS ARISING ON THE MEDIA FRONT AT THE GHANA INTERNATIONAL PRESS CENTRE, (GIPC) ON JUNE 10, 2025
Members of the National Executive of the GJA
Colleague media practitioners,
Distinguished invited guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Good afternoon to you all.
Colleagues, the GJA extends it appreciation to you for your continuous support and coverage of our programmes and events. We thank you for responding to our call even at a short notice.
This is the fifth in the series of our monthly press engagements we started in January this year, to highlight important media-related and national issues that require prompt action and resolution. This afternoon we are here to share with you and the entire nation some unhealthy developments in our media space and the national level.
From the onset of our tenure as the servants of our noble Association, we have not relented in our determination and actions to end attacks and impunity against journalists across the country.
We have demonstrated through several actions including, issuing statements, stakeholders engagement, meetings with top Police and Military hierarchy, interactions with political heads, going to court, blacklisting of politicians, educating our members to be mindful of their actions and inactions to get all well-meaning Ghanaians to understand that journalism is not a crime and that journalists are critical stakeholders to national development.
Unfortunately, some elements of our society continue to unrepentantly, shamefully and callously mete out unwarranted attacks on journalists in the line of their duty.
Recent Attack on Latif Iddrisu
Colleagues as you may have heard on May 27, 2025 the Minority Caucus in Parliament and some sympathizers of the NPP staged a demonstration in front of the Economic and Organised Crime Office, (EOCO) in Accra to solidarize with, and also call for the release of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, who had been detained at the EOCO at the time.
Journalists from many media houses were there to report on the demonstration and while JoyNews reporter Latif Iddrisu was live on air reporting what was happening there, some heartless and inhumane sympathisers of the NPP were unsympathetic to our comrade Latif and attacked him.
In his narration to the GJA Latif said: quote “They hit me with stones, hit me in the already fragile head with their hands, they hit me in the rib and spat on me. One of them hit me with a rubber band.
They also threatened that they know where I live and that they will deal with me”. Unquote. This is so barbaric to say the least.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we always admonish journalists to do, Latif lodged an official report at the police station and also visited the Trust hospital for check-up where his chest and head among other parts of his body were specifically examined.
As you may be aware Latif Iddrisu had suffered an earlier attack which he is yet to fully recover from, and so this latest attack has worsened his physical and psychological well-being.
He told us that; quote. Unfortunately the persistent pain in my head and the trauma has resurfaced as a result. Unquote. Why, should a journalist performing his constitutionally guaranteed duty be treated this way?
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) vehemently condemns the unacceptable attack on Latif. This egregious act of violence against a journalist in the line of duty is a direct assault on press freedom, democratic principles, and the fundamental right of citizens to be informed.
The GJA stands in solidarity with Latif Iddrisu and assures him of our full support.
Actions of the Police on the case.
The GJA will like to commend the Ghana Police Service and the Inspector General of Police, IGP Christian Tetteh Yohonu for the swift response and the subsequent arrest of a suspect in connection with this deplorable incident. This action sends a strong signal that attacks on journalists will not be tolerated and that the rule of law will prevail.
While acknowledging this crucial step, the GJA urges the Ghana Police Service to redouble its efforts to ensure that all perpetrators involved in the attack on Latif Iddrisu are identified, apprehended, and brought to justice without delay. It is important that a thorough and expedited investigation is conducted to ensure that all those responsible, directly or indirectly, face the full rigors of the law.
We equally remind the Police Administration of the many unresolved cases of attack against journalists across the country, particularly that of
Ahmed Suale.
It is our hope that the IGP will work to bring closure to all the pending cases.
Impunity for attacks on journalists emboldens further acts of violence and undermines the critical role the media plays in holding all leaders, either in power or in opposition, accountable and informing the public.
The GJA calls on all political parties, their supporters, and indeed all citizens, to respect the independence and safety of journalists. A vibrant and unfettered media is essential for the health and survival of our democracy.
Ladies and gentlemen, we will continue to monitor Latif Iddrisu’s case closely and will not hesitate to take further action should the pursuit of justice be compromised. We reiterate our commitment to protecting the rights and safety of all journalists in Ghana.
The Fight Against Galamsey
Colleagues, illegal mining has wreaked havoc and is still threatening our very existence as our water bodies, forests, farm lands and the entire environment are under sieged. The fight against the menace is unabated as the perpetrators, the illegal miners continue their nefarious operations.
There have been several attempts in the past with some level of successes but what is been done now by President Mahama led Administration is commendable. The proactive measures being implemented to address this critical issue demonstrate a strong commitment to safeguarding our natural resources, protecting the environment, and ensuring the well-being of our communities.
For eight out of the nine forest reserves considered most dangerous mining places in the country and manned by heavily armed illegal miners to be reclaimed by the security forces is an indication that some level of progress is being made.
These are places where our journalists who report on mining have described as ‘’no go zones” as some have suffered attacks for daring to go to such places.
We are told that the operation is still underway. It is our hope that the security agencies who are undertaking the said operations will not relent or avail themselves to be compromised.
Also, we are informed that about 300 excavators have been seized from illegal miners.
Officials in the environmental space reveal that 44 out of the 288 forest reserves in the country have been taken over by illegal small-scale miners. The GJA believes that with concerted efforts by all actors in the interest of the nation, the remaining 35 forest reserves can be rescued from the galamseyers.
We applaud the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for showing leadership in this fight. The GJA therefore calls for intensification of the fight at all fronts and asks for periodic update on the fight in the media to enable citizens to know what is being done and where the government has reached with the fight.
Let me take this opportunity to once again commend journalists like Erastus Asare Donkor of Multimedia, Kwasi Agyei Anim of Citi FM for their fearless work in the fight against illegal mining. We encourage them not to give up, despite the attacks and challenges in visiting those dangerous illegal mining sites.
Again, let me acknowledge the work of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey led by Ing. Dr. Ken Ashigbey who has taken up a new role as the CEO of the Chamber of Mines. We salute him for his work on the galamsey fight and wish him well in his new job and hope that he will continue to support the Media Coalition Against Galamsey till the fight is completely won.
Together, we can. Let’s continue to lend our support to the fight against illegal mining to ensure that our environment is protected.
Long Live the GJA
Thank you.
