By: Ashiadey Dotse
The President, John Dramani Mahama, has declared that Ghana must rise again as Africa’s leading example of media freedom. He said this during his address at the 2025 GJA/KGL Media Awards held in Kumasi on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
He noted that Ghana once stood tall on the continent for press freedom, especially before 2017, when journalists could work without fear. However, Mahama said the country’s rankings in recent years have declined due to threats, attacks, and misinformation, which he described as worrying.
He said his administration has chosen to reverse this decline by restoring Ghana’s reputation as the torchbearer of media independence in Africa.
President Mahama announced that investigations into election-related attacks on journalists during the 2020 and 2024 elections have been completed. Twenty-one suspects were identified, with some already arrested and others on remand as the Attorney General reviews the cases for further legal action.
To avoid future violence, President Mahama has also directed the Ministry of Government Communications and the National Security Ministry to create a permanent platform for dialogue between the media and the security services.
He made it clear that under his leadership, the government will not tolerate intimidation or interference against journalists.
President Mahama also urged journalists to uphold accuracy, verification, and fairness, noting that sensationalism destroys trust and weakens democracy.
He added that legislation such as the Cybersecurity Amendment Bill 2025 is not aimed at restricting free speech, but at protecting citizens and preserving truth in the digital age.
President Mahama ended his address by reminding journalists that they must continue speaking truth to power and assured the media that his government will defend their freedoms.
He repeated strongly that no journalist will have to flee into exile because of fear under his administration and called on all stakeholders to work together to rebuild Ghana as Africa’s shining example of press freedom.
