GJA honours 24 champions of Press Freedom

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has honoured 24 individuals and institutions who have contributed immensely to press freedom and the development of the media in Ghana.
It was a moment of glee and exultation for the awardees, as they received the citations, some of whom were octogenarians and had dedicated a great deal of their lives to defending and safeguarding the independence of the press, even in their retirement.
The awardees include Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, Mrs Gifty Afenyi Dadzie, Esq, and Ms Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, all former Presidents of the GJA.
Other celebrants were Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, Chief Policy Analyst at the Ghana Institute of Public Policy Options (GIPPO); Prof Kwame Karikari, media and communications expert; Mr Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Managing Editor of The Insight; Ms Elizabeth Ohene, former Editor of the Daily Graphic; and Mr Ben Ephson Jnr, Managing Editor of the Daily Dispatch.
The second category of the awards recognised individuals who had contributed significantly to media development in Ghana.
They were Sir Sam Jonah, international business executive; Mr Bright Blewu, former GJA General Secretary; Mr Kwasi Afriyie Badu, legal practitioner; Mr Cameron Duodu, veteran journalist; Chief Dr Crystal Djirakor, founder of Crystal TV; and Wilna and Alex Quarmyne, founders of Ada Radio.
The GJA also honoured institutions who had championed the development of the media in Ghana.
They include the Embassy of the United States of America, Unilever Ghana Limited, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Electoral Commission, Innolink Ghana Limited, and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
In addition, it recognised renowned highlife musician Abrantie Amakye Dede for his support to the Association.
For their dedicated support to the current GJA administration, the Association honoured Mr Alex Dadey, Group Chairman of the KGL Group of Companies; Dr Paul Ko Fynn, Chancellor of Wisconsin International University College, Ghana; and ADB Bank.
The World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3 to celebrate press freedom worldwide and highlight the importance of free press in democratic societies.
This year’s celebration focuses on how Artificial Intelligence affects press freedom, the free flow of information, media independence, and the global goal of ensuring access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms.
Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, the President, GJA, expressed concern over Ghana dropping from 50th to 52nd position on the 2025 Global Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.
He said the drop was an indication that the country must do more to protect journalists as well as address their economic welfare and independence.
“In February this year alone, we have recorded 11 cases of assault on journalists. The records are not good. We call on the Police to take attacks on journalists seriously and bring perpetrators to book,” Mr Dwumfour said.
Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister in charge of Government Communications, said press freedom “is not a privilege bestowed by any government” but a fundamental constitutional right.
He urged the media not to serve power but endeavour to work in the public interest in the discharge of their duties.
Mr Ofosu emphasised the Government’s commitment to press freedom and assured of its readiness to investigate the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale.
Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, called for support for media institutions to be able to build capacity and procure tools to adapt to changes in the media landscape driven by artificial intelligence.
He said the annual observance of press freedom served as an avenue to defend one of democracy’s most sacred pillars: a free and independent press.
Touching on the theme, he noted that AI algorithms could quickly interpret vast and complex data sets, revealing trends and patterns that might be invisible or difficult to discern for the human eye.
The capability not only enriched journalistic content but also brought an unprecedented depth to investigative journalism.
“Yet with such promise comes a peril. We have seen the rise in …algorithmic bias, automatic disinformation campaigns and the disturbing use of surveillance technology…The brave new world we enter must not be one where machines are weaponised to silence truth,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.
He said the theme challenged the nation to confront the transformative role of artificial intelligence in shaping not only how news was consumed but how “we define truth, uphold ethics and preserve the freedom that underpins journalism.”
GNA