Captain George Kofi Nfodjo (Rtd), former Member of Parliament (MP) of Ho Central Constituency, has appealed to state security to deal swiftly with cases involving the assault of journalists in the course of duty.
He entreated the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno to expeditiously cause investigations into many of the outstanding cases against journalists, mostly perpetrated by state security actors. Capt. Nfodjo, an Ambassador-designate, who is also a journalist by profession, made this appeal in a remark at the 2025 World Press Freedom Day celebration in Ho, in the Volta Region.
He urged the Police and the office of the Attorney-General’s Department along with international collaboration in finding the killers of Mr. Ahmed Hussein-Suale, an undercover investigate Journalist, who was killed about six years ago, though some prosecution has started. He stated that the killing of the astute Journalist on January 16, 2019, marked the darkest day in the history of Ghana and served as an affront to journalism in the country.
He entreated the media fraternity and journos to support the search for the perpetrators of such a heinous crime by volunteering information that would help in the case. He stated that Article 162 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana guarantees freedom of the press and the media, which states: “There shall be freedom and independence of the media, and the media shall be free to establish and operate any medium for the dissemination of information”.
Capt. Nfodjo, the Chairman of the event and a former District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ho, stated that although there is freedom and independence of the media, the practitioners should fact-check information before publishing to avoid being held liable.
In his welcome address, Mr. Emmanuel Agbaxode, Regional GJA Chairman for the Volta/Oti Chapter, said the event reaffirmed their dedication to press freedom and responsible journalism, reflecting on the crucial role of the media in shaping national development.
He stated that over the years, the GJA, Volta/Oti Chapter has worked tirelessly to support Journalists, and advocate for better conditions of service for practitioners as media played a central role in governance and development.
He emphasised that they could not be overlooked the immense contributions of Journalists in bringing critical issues to light, holding leadership accountable, and amplifying the voices of communities cannot be overlooked.
Mr Agbaxode said despite some challenges, the media practitioners in the regions remained steadfast in their mandate. The Regional GJA Chairman, appealed to corporate entities, partners, and state organizations to help the Association complete the chapter’s Press Centre.
The event was organised by the Volta/Oti Chapter of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) under the theme: “Reporting in the Brave New World-the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media”.
Present were Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, Mrs Maria Kwami Gwira, Executive Director of Dede Media Foundation, Mr Francis Dusey, Ho West District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Stephen Adom, Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Bless Kodjo Katamani, DCE for Akatsi North, among others.
Some individuals were also presented with Citations for their contributions to the development of GJA in the Oti and Volta Regions.
Source: GNA
