President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has made headlines by blacklisting two prominent members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) within a span of two weeks, following separate incidents of assault on journalists.

The first case involves the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East and Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mavis Hawa Koomson. On January 4, 2024, journalist David Kobbina of Cape FM was assaulted while covering the vetting of NPP parliamentary aspirants in the Awutu Senya East constituency. Kobbina reported being attacked by individuals allegedly affiliated with Hawa Koomson's camp, despite his protests of mistaken identity. Despite the minister's denial of involvement, the GJA President directed the media to blacklist her, citing the lack of justice for the assaulted journalist.

Speaking at a press conference on January 25, 2024, Dwumfour emphasized, "We are saying all media houses and all journalists shouldn’t report anything about Hawa Koomson even though she wasn’t the one who assaulted the journalist but her people whom she can identify and hand them over."

In a similar vein, the GJA President addressed another assault case involving the Member of Parliament for Yendi, Farouk Aliu Mahama, during the NPP's parliamentary primaries on January 27, 2024. Journalist Mohammed Aminu Alabira of Citi FM reported being physically assaulted by Farouk Aliu Mahama himself while filing a live report amidst chaotic scenes. Dwumfour condemned the assault and subsequently called for a media blacklist against Farouk Aliu Mahama.

During a press briefing on February 6, 2024, Dwumfour revealed receiving a personal threat from Farouk Aliu Mahama, further escalating tensions between the media and the MP. He stated, "If Honourable Farouk is listening, I see it as a personal threat and I will deal with it as such. We are ready to meet him in court and wherever he wants to take the matter to."

The unprecedented move by the GJA to blacklist two high-ranking NPP members underscores the association's commitment to protecting journalists and holding perpetrators of violence against the media accountable. As the Ghanaian media community awaits further developments, the incidents highlight broader concerns regarding press freedom and safety in the country.